Angiotensin II

Angiotensin II

Target · GPCR / hormone receptor

Angiotensin II Angiotensin II · type 1 receptor (AGTR1)

Angiotensin II is a potent vasopressor hormone and a primary regulator of aldosterone secretion, controlling blood pressure and volume in the cardiovascular system. This page covers its type 1 receptor, encoded by AGTR1 and also known as AT1, AT2R1 or HAT1R, which is thought to mediate the major cardiovascular effects of the hormone. Browse Assay Genie's current range of Angiotensin II research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.

Cell membrane receptorG protein-coupled receptorMediates cardiovascular effects
359 aa
Protein length
~41 kDa
Molecular weight
3q24
Gene locus
GPCR family 1
Protein family
Target information

What is Angiotensin II (angiotensin II receptor type 1)?

Angiotensin II is a potent vasopressor hormone and a primary regulator of aldosterone secretion. It is an important effector controlling blood pressure and volume in the cardiovascular system, and it acts through at least two types of receptor. The type 1 receptor, encoded by the AGTR1 gene, is thought to mediate the major cardiovascular effects of angiotensin II. The gene may also play a role in the generation of reperfusion arrhythmias after blood flow is restored to ischaemic or infarcted myocardium.

The AGTR1 gene encodes the type-1 angiotensin II receptor (angiotensin II receptor type 1), a cell-membrane protein that belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor 1 family. HGNC places it in the angiotensin receptors gene group, alongside the type 2 receptor, AGTR2. Alternative splicing of the gene results in multiple transcript variants. In the context of viral infection, the receptor has been reported to recognise and internalise the complex formed by secreted ACE2 and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, through DNM2/dynamin 2-dependent endocytosis.

The receptor has accumulated many aliases over time, including AT1, AT2R1, AGTR1A, AT2R1A, HAT1R, AG2S, AT2R1B, AT1B, ATR1 and AGTR1B. A related gene, AGTR1B, was previously thought to exist, and the name angiotensin receptor 1B is now a previous name. It is now believed that humans have only one type 1 receptor gene. This history is useful to remember when comparing literature across species, since rodent orthologues are listed under the names Agtr1a and Agtr1b.

Cardiovascular physiology

Angiotensin II acts as an effector controlling blood pressure and volume, and its type 1 receptor is thought to mediate the major cardiovascular effects.

Aldosterone regulation

Angiotensin II is a primary regulator of aldosterone secretion, making the hormone and its receptor relevant to studies of this endocrine axis.

Ischaemia and reperfusion

The AGTR1 gene may play a role in reperfusion arrhythmias that follow restoration of blood flow to ischaemic or infarcted myocardium.

Viral entry and ACE2 biology

The type 1 receptor can recognise and internalise the secreted ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 spike complex through dynamin 2-dependent endocytosis.

Background

Angiotensin II frequently asked questions

What does angiotensin II do?

Angiotensin II is a potent vasopressor hormone and a primary regulator of aldosterone secretion. It is an important effector controlling blood pressure and volume in the cardiovascular system, acting through at least two receptor types. The type 1 receptor is thought to mediate its major cardiovascular effects.

Which names and aliases refer to the AGTR1 gene?

AGTR1 encodes angiotensin II receptor type 1, also called AT1, AT2R1, AGTR1A, AT2R1A, HAT1R, AG2S, AT2R1B, AT1B, ATR1 and AGTR1B. The previous name angiotensin receptor 1B reflects an earlier belief in a second gene; only one type 1 receptor gene is now thought to exist in humans.

Is the type 1 receptor conserved in rodents?

Orthologues exist in rodents: the mouse gene is Agtr1a and the rat gene is Agtr1b. Because of the legacy A and B naming, check the gene symbol carefully when comparing species. Always check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.

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Related targets

The type 2 angiotensin II receptor and other targets in the renin-angiotensin and cardiovascular signalling space.

Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P30556; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.

Angiotensin II Product listing