Endocrine and paracrine syntheses and actions of vasoactive peptides

In this short review, we compare the structure, biosynthetis and processing path ways, physiological actions, receptor systems and signaling pathways of 3 vasoactive peptides: vasopressin, angiotensin II and endothelins. This comparison shows clearly that ail these peptides are synthesized as prepro proteins and are processed by proteolytic enzymes. They all act via differe nt types of membrane-bound G protein coupled receptors. Their actions on ca rdiovascular target tissues are either of an endocrine nature (vasopressin) or a paracrine nature (endothelins) or both (angiotensin II).