Shigeru Okuyama1, Takashi Sakagawa2 and Tadashi
Inagami3
11st Laboratory, Medicinal Research Laboratories, 2Laboratory
of Animal Center,
Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Ohmiya, Saitama 330 - 8530, Japan
3Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
Abstract: There are two known major angiotensin II receptor subtypes,
type 1 (AT1) and type 2
(AT2), both of which are present in the brain. AT1
and AT2 receptors occur in characteristic distributions that
are highly correlated with the distribution of angiotensin II-like immunoreactivity
in nerve terminals. Acting through the AT1 receptor in the central
nervous system, angiotensin II has effects on fluid and electrolyte homeostasis,
neuroendocrine systems, autonomic pathways regulating cardiovascular function
and behavior. While the role of the AT2 receptor in the brain
is less well understood, recent knockout studies point to their involvement
in behavioral and cardiovascular functions. We discuss here evidence regarding
the function of the AT2 receptor in the brain, determined using
mice lacking the AT2 receptor.
Keywords: Angiotensin, AT1 receptor, AT2 receptor,
Neuromodulation, Anxiogenic behavior