Angiotensin
Angiotensin — A peptide hormone family involved in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. Angiotensin II is an octapeptide and potent vasoconstrictor.
What Is Angiotensin?
Angiotensin refers to a family of peptide hormones central to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), the master regulator of blood pressure and fluid balance. The primary bioactive form, angiotensin II (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe), is an octapeptide with a molecular weight of 1046.18 Da. It is generated from angiotensinogen through sequential cleavage by renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).
The Angiotensin Cascade
- Angiotensinogen: 452-amino acid precursor protein produced by the liver
- Angiotensin I: 10-amino acid peptide cleaved from angiotensinogen by renin (kidney)
- Angiotensin II: 8-amino acid active peptide, cleaved from Ang I by ACE (lung endothelium)
- Angiotensin (1-7): 7-amino acid fragment with opposing vasodilatory effects, generated by ACE2
Pharmacological Significance
Angiotensin research produced two of the most important drug classes in medicine: ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril, which are peptidomimetics) and angiotensin receptor blockers (losartan, valsartan). The discovery that ACE2 is also the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor renewed intense interest in the angiotensin pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Angiotensin?
A peptide hormone family involved in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. Angiotensin II is an octapeptide and potent vasoconstrictor.
Why is Angiotensin important in peptide research?
Angiotensin is a fundamental concept in compound as it relates to peptide science. It directly influences experimental design, compound characterization, and the reliability of research outcomes across biochemistry and molecular biology disciplines.