Modulation of membrane potential and ionic currents by the AT1 and AT2 receptors of angiotensin II.

ABSTRACT

Angiotensin II, the principal effector of the renin-angiotensin system, modulates various ionic currents. Its effects on potassium currents, including outward transient potassium current, the inward or outward rectifiers, as well as Ca(2+)- activated potassium currents, is well described. Other ionic currents, such as voltage-dependent calcium currents, cationic or chloride currents, are also altered by the hormone. All these effects provoke changes in membrane potential, such as modulation of action potential firing or resting membrane potential and control intracellular calcium concentration. Summarized here are the results obtained on these membrane electrical properties using electrophysiological recordings.