MODULATION OF MEMBRANE-POTENTIAL AND IONIC CURRENTS BY THE AT(1) AND AT(2) RECEPTORS OF ANGIOTENSIN-II

Angiotensin II, the principal effector of the renin-angiotensin system , modulates various ionic currents. Its effects on potassium currents, including outward transient potassium current, the inward or outward rectifiers, as well as Ca2+ activated potassium currents, is well desc ribed. Other ionic currents, such as voltage-dependent calcium current s, cationic or chloride currents, are also altered by the hormone. All these effects provoke changes in membrane potential, such as modulati on of action potential firing or resting membrane potential and contro l intracellular calcium concentration. Summarized here are the results obtained on these membrane electrical properties using electrophysiol ogical recordings. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.