BIOACTIVE ANGIOTENSIN PEPTIDES

Angiotensin II is recognised as the principle active peptide of the re nin-angiotensin system, exerting effects on fluid and electrolyte home ostasis, and cardiovascular control including neural and long term tro phic effects. However, recent studies indicate that other angiotensin peptides such as angiotensin III, angiotensin II (1-7) and angiotensin IV, may have specific actions. Interestingly, recent work involving a ngiotensin IV demonstrates that this peptide binds to specific recepto rs and may be involved in memory retention and neuronal development. F urthermore, our demonstration that a globin fragment, LVV-haemorphin-7 , binds with high affinity to the angiotensin IV binding site and is a bundant in the brain, indicates that this may represent a novel brain neuropeptide system. It now appears, that the renin-angiotensin system is more complex than previously thought and capable of generating mul tiple, active peptides which elicit numerous diverse actions.