ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTORS AND THEIR THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS

Angiotensin II is a multifunctional hormone that exerts its effects by interacting with cell surface receptors. Two major subtypes of recept ors (AT(1) and AT(2)) have been distinguished by pharmacological and m olecular biological techniques. ATI receptors have been further subdiv ided into AT(1A) and AT(1B) receptors. Several other isoforms have bee n found, notably in nonmammalian systems, but further information is n ecessary before definitive classification can be made. AT(1) receptors mediate most known functions of angiotensin II, while AT(2) receptors may be important developmentally. The molecular, structural, and bioc hemical characteristics of these receptors have been described, as wel l as the factors that regulate their expression. This receptor system has been implicated in several cardiovascular diseases, including hype rtension, restenosis after angioplasty, cardiac hypertrophy, heart fai lure, myocardial infarction, and ventricular remodeling. Structural an alysis of AT receptors may provide the basis for the development of ne w therapeutic agents with enhanced specificity for the treatment of th ese diseases.