Angiotensin

Application

Angiotensin (or angiotensinamine) is used for shock after trauma or surgery and for hypotension caused by general or spinal anesthesia. It can prevent or treat perioperative hypotension, be used as an emergency medication to treat hypotension during shock, and can also be used to treat angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor overdose when conventional treatment is ineffective.

Definition

A peptide found in the blood, important in its effect on blood pressure. Both a decapeptide and an octapeptide are known. Their amino acid sequences and hence the complete structures have been established.

Safety Profile

Poison by intravenous route. Anexperimental teratogen. Other experimental reproductiveeffects. When heated to decomposition it emits acridsmoke and irritating fumes.

Description

Angiotensin contains a total of 8 amino acids having a molecular weight of 1031.2 Dalton and a molecular formula of C₄₉H₇₀N₁₄O₁₁.

Source

Synthetic

Background

Angiotensin is an oligopeptide in the blood that causes vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure, and release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex. It is a powerful dipsogen. It is derived from the precursor molecule angiotensinogen, a serum globulin produced in the liver. It plays an important role in the renin-angiotensin system.
The protein encoded by this gene, pre-angiotensinogen or angiotensinogen precursor, is expressed in the liver and is cleaved by the enzyme renin in response to lowered blood pressure. The resulting product, angiotensin I is then cleaved by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) to generate the physiologically active enzyme angiotensin II. The protein is involved in maintaining blood pressure and in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension and preeclampsia.