Kinins

Kinins are a group of polypeptides that are involved in various physiological and pathological processes. They are part of the Kallikrein-Kinin System, which is involved in inflammation, blood pressure regulation, coagulation, and pain induction.

Overview

Kinins are produced through the action of kallikreins, which are a group of serine proteases. The most important kinins are bradykinin and kallidin, which are potent vasodilators. They are also involved in the induction of pain, increase in vascular permeability, and contraction of smooth muscle.

Function

Kinins function by binding to specific G protein-coupled receptors on the surface of cells. This leads to the activation of various intracellular signaling pathways, resulting in a variety of physiological effects.

Role in Disease

Abnormalities in the kallikrein-kinin system have been implicated in a number of diseases, including hypertension, inflammation, and cancer. In particular, excessive production of kinins can lead to edema, hypotension, and pain.

Therapeutic Potential

Due to their role in disease, kinins and the kallikrein-kinin system are potential targets for therapeutic intervention. For example, drugs that inhibit the production of kinins or block their receptors could be used to treat conditions such as hypertension and inflammation.

See Also

• Kallikrein
• Bradykinin
• Kallidin
• G protein-coupled receptors

References

Kinins Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia