Mas receptor endocytosis and signaling in health and disease

Abstract

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) plays a major role in blood pressure regulation and electrolyte homeostasis and is mainly composed by two axes mediating opposite effects. The pressor axis, constituted by angiotensin (Ang) II and the Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R), exerts vasoconstrictor, proliferative, hypertensive, oxidative and pro-inflammatory actions, while the depressor/protective axis, represented by Ang-(1-7), its Mas receptor (MasR) and the Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R), opposes the actions elicited by the pressor arm. The MasR belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. To avoid receptor overstimulation, GPCRs undergo internalization and trafficking into the cell after being stimulated. Then, the receptor may induce other signaling cascades or it may even interact with other receptors, generating distinct biological responses. Thus, control of a GPCR regarding space and time affects the specificity of the signals transduced by the receptor and the ultimate cellular response. The present chapter is focused on the signaling and trafficking pathways of MasR under physiological conditions and its participation in the pathogenesis of numerous brain diseases.