MOLECULAR-CLONING, EXPRESSION AND TISSUE DISTRIBUTION OF A CHICKEN ANGIOTENSIN-II RECEPTOR

A cDNA encoding a chicken angiotensin II receptor from adrenal gland w as isolated to serve as a molecular tool to study the role of AngII in avian embryonic development, This cDNA, sharing a high homology with another avian receptor (turkey), encodes a protein of 359 amino acids with 75% sequence identity with the mammalian type 1 receptor, Transie nt expression has revealed pharmacological properties distinct from ma mmalian receptors and a functional coupling leading to the increase in inositol phosphate production, The AngII receptor mRNA is expressed i n classical target organs for AngII (adrenal gland, heart, kidney) and , interestingly, in endothelial cells where it may mediate the peculia r vasorelaxation effect of AngII in the chicken.