The renin-angiotensin system plays a critical role in blood pressure control and body fluid and electrolyte homeostasis.

Background-We previously identified the G-protein-coupled receptor Mas, encoded by the Mas proto-oncogene, as an endogenous receptor for the heptapeptide angiotensin-(1-7); however, the receptor is also suggested to be involved in actions of angiotensin II. We therefore tested whether this could be mediated indirectly through an interaction with the angiotensin II type 1 receptor, AT 1 . Methods and Results-In transfected mammalian cells, Mas was not activated by angiotensin II; however, AT 1 receptor-mediated, angiotensin II-induced production of inositol phosphates and mobilization of intracellular Ca 2ϩ was diminished by 50% after coexpression of Mas, despite a concomitant increase in angiotensin II binding capacity. Mas and the AT 1 receptor formed a constitutive hetero-oligomeric complex that was unaffected by the presence of agonists or antagonists of the 2 receptors. In vivo, Mas acts as an antagonist of the AT 1 receptor; mice lacking the Mas gene show enhanced angiotensin II-mediated vasoconstriction in mesenteric microvessels.Conclusions-These results demonstrate that Mas can hetero-oligomerize with the AT 1 receptor and by so doing inhibit the actions of angiotensin II. This is a novel demonstration that a G-protein-coupled receptor acts as a physiological antagonist of a previously characterized receptor. Consequently, the AT 1 -Mas complex could be of great importance as a target for pharmacological intervention in cardiovascular diseases.

Angiotensin (Ang) II mediates pathophysiologial changes in the kidney. Ang-(1–7) by interacting with the G protein-coupled receptor Mas may also have important biological activities.In this study, renal deficiency for Mas diminished renal damage in models of renal insufficiency as unilateral ureteral obstruction and ischemia/reperfusion injury while the infusion of Ang-(1–7) to wild-type mice pronounced the pathological outcome by aggravating the inflammatory response. Mas deficiency inhibited NF-κB activation and thus the elevation of inflammation-stimulating cytokines, while Ang-(1–7) infusion had proinflammatory properties in experimental models of renal failure as well as under basal conditions. The Ang-(1–7)-mediated NF-κB activation was Mas dependent but did not involve Ang II receptors. Therefore, the blockade of the NF-κB-activating properties of the receptor Mas could be a new strategy in the therapy of failing kidney.

Our data highlight a pivotal role for the receptor Mas in preserving normal vascular relaxation. Consequently, Mas agonists arise as a promising tool in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases characterized by endothelial dysfunction.

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The lack of both AT(1) subtypes led to a baseline reduction of CF and LVSP, and the effects of Ang II on CF and LVSP were found to be exclusively mediated via AT(1a). The lack of AT(1a) or AT(1b) does not influence the development or maintenance of normal cardiac morphology, whereas deficiency for both receptors led to atrophic changes in the heart. Renal Ang II levels largely depend on AT(1) binding of extracellularly generated Ang II, and in the absence of all three Ang II receptors, renal Ang II is only located extracellularly.

Background-Strong evidence suggests that mitochondrial malfunction, which leads to disturbed energy metabolism and stimulated apoptosis, is a linchpin in the induction and manifestation of cardiac failure. An adequate exchange of ATP and ADP over the inner mitochondrial membrane by the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) is thereby essential to guarantee the cellular energy supply. Methods and Results-To explore the effect of an ameliorated mitochondrial ATP/ADP transportation on cardiac dysfunction, we generated transgenic rats overexpressing ANT1 in the heart (ANT rats) and crossed them with renin-overexpressing rats (REN rats) suffering from hypertension-induced cardiac insufficiency. Cardiac-specific ANT1 overexpression resulted in a higher ATP/ADP transportation and elevated activities of respiratory chain complexes. Increased ANT activity in double-transgenic (ANT/REN) animals did not influence excessive hypertension seen in REN rats. Hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy in the REN rats was prevented by parallel ANT1 overexpression, however, and left ventricular function remarkably improved. The ANT1 overexpression led to a reduction in fibrosis and an improvement in cardiac tissue architecture. Consequently, the survival rate of ANT/REN rats was enhanced. Further investigations into the cardioprotective mechanism of ANT1 overexpression revealed improved mitochondrial structure and function and significantly reduced apoptosis in ANT/REN rats, shown by lowered cytosolic/mitochondrial cytochrome c ratio, reduced caspase 3 level, and prevented DNA degradation. Conclusions-Myocardial ANT1 overexpression protects against hypertension-induced cardiac pathology. Thus, the improvement in mitochondrial function may be a basic principle for new strategies in treating heart disease.