Abstract
The vascular angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor (AT1) is a central component of the renin-angiotensin system; thus, regulation of its expression is likely to be important in cardiovascular responsiveness. We demonstrate that ANG II down-regulates its receptor in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Incubation for 4 hr with 100 nM ANG II decreased AT1 mRNA and protein by 70% and 35%, respectively. This homologous down-regulation was concentration and time dependent and was blocked by the AT1 antagonist losartan. It did not appear to be mediated by protein kinase C or other protein kinases but was dependent on the sustained signaling pathway sensitive to phenylarsine oxide. Heterologous down-regulation was observed with the agonists alpha-thrombin and ATP and the cAMP-increasing agent forskolin. ANG II inhibited transcription by 50% and destabilized the AT1 mRNA. Down-regulation of AT1 mRNA was blocked by transcription and translation inhibitors, suggesting that it required expression of a protein factor or factors. These results indicate that ANG II down-regulates its vascular receptor by both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Homologous and heterologous down-regulation of the AT1 receptor may participate in the coordinated physiological adaptation of vascular tone to vasoactive hormones.
MolPharm articles become freely available 12 months after publication, and remain freely available for 5 years.Non-open access articles that fall outside this five year window are available only to institutional subscribers and current ASPET members, or through the article purchase feature at the bottom of the page.
|