Angiotensin receptor
Angiotensin receptor is a type of protein that is found on the surface of cells in various parts of the body, including the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels. It plays a crucial role in the renin-angiotensin system, which helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body.
Structure and Function[edit | edit source]
The angiotensin receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor that binds to the hormone angiotensin II. This binding triggers a series of reactions within the cell that lead to various physiological effects, such as vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels), increased secretion of aldosterone (a hormone that increases sodium reabsorption in the kidneys), and increased thirst.
There are two main types of angiotensin receptors: AT1 and AT2. The AT1 receptor is responsible for most of the known actions of angiotensin II, while the function of the AT2 receptor is less well understood.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Because of their role in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance, angiotensin receptors are important targets for drugs used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure. These drugs, known as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), work by blocking the action of angiotensin II on the AT1 receptor.
In addition, research is ongoing to explore the potential role of angiotensin receptors in other conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and neurological disorders.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD