For several G protein-coupled receptors, amino acids in the seventh transmembrane helix have been implicated in ligand binding and receptor activation. The function of this region in the AT1 angiotensin receptor was further investigated by mutation of two conserved polar residues (Asn294 and Asn295) and the adjacent Phe293 residue. Analysis of the properties of the mutant receptors expressed in...

Caveolae are membrane domains that have been implicated in signal transduction, and caveolins are major structural components of these domains. We found that all reported caveolin isoforms (caveolin-1, -2, and -3) were expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs); however, only caveolin-1 mRNA was regulated by angiotensin II (Ang II). Ang II (100 nmol/L) increased caveolin-1 mRNA, with a p...

This study aims to evaluate whether the Punica granatum fruit extract modulates the Angiotensin-II Type I receptor (AT1-R) and thromboxane B2 level in endothelial cells induced by plasma from preeclamptic patients. Endothelial cells were obtained from human umbilical vascular endothelial cells. At confluence, endothelial cells were divided into five groups, which included endothelial cells expo...

Response to Lack of Specificity of Commercial Antibodies Leads to Misidentification of Angiotensin Type-1 Receptor Protein We read with great interest the letter from Eguchi et al1 providing additional evidence to support the lack of suitability of commercial antibodies for detecting angiotensin type-1 (AT1) receptor protein in experimental systems. The data from Eguchi and associates extend ou...

The alveolar epithelium consists of two cell types, alveolar type I (AT1) and alveolar type II (AT2) cells. We have recently shown that 7-day-old cultures of AT2 cells grown on a type I collagen/fibronectin matrix develop phenotypic characteristics of AT1 cells, display a distinct connexin profile, and coordinate mechanically induced intercellular Ca(2+) changes via gap junctions (25). In this ...

Circulating ANG II modulates the baroreceptor reflex control of heart rate (HR), at least partly via activation of ANG II type 1 (AT1) receptors on neurons in the area postrema. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the effects of circulating ANG II on the baroreflex also depend on AT1 receptors within the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). In confirmation of previous studies in other spe...

In various manifestations of cardiovascular disease, blockade of the renin–angiotensin system by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors has been shown to prevent or delay disease progression effectively and improve prognosis in terms of mortality and morbidity. Angiotensin type 1-receptor (AT1-receptor) blockers, on the other hand, are used for more specific and efficacious blockade of ...

Angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) receptor is known to mediate a variety of physiological actions of Ang II including autophagy. However, the role of AT1 receptor in cardiomyocyte autophagy triggered by mechanical stress still remains elusive. The aim of this study was therefore to examine whether and how AT1 receptor participates in cardiomyocyte autophagy induced by mechanical stresses. A ...