Main description:

The renin-angiotensin system and the mechanisms regulating this system developed during the adaptive evolution of verte brates, along with many other systems involved in the in tegrated survival of the organism. Because animal species have evolved from common ancestral populations, a basis for the comparison of body structures and physiological processes ex ists among animal groups belonging to different classifications. The comparative approach provides a better understanding of the structure and function of adaptive systems and facilitates the development of general principles governing these systems among animal groups; further, this approach reveals significant characteristics specific to certain animal groups. As the evolu tion of adaptation of animals to environmental conditions is explored, directions for future research are suggested. In this book, advances in research on the renin-angiotensin system are described with emphasis on the comparative aspects. However, since studies on the renin-angiotensin system of birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes are limited compared with those con ducted in mammals, in some chapters descriptions are con cerned primarily with mammals. It has taken a long time to write this volume, and the topic is a broad one, with new data always emerging; therefore, certain aspects, and sometimes the most recent information, may not be included. Chapters 1-3 and sections 8. 1-8. 4,8. 6, 8. 7 were written by H. K. ; Chapters 4-7 and Section 8. 5 by Y. T. ; Chapter 9 was written by both authors. H. Uemura, M. Nozaki, Y. Okawara, We are indebted to Drs.

Contents:

1 Introduction.- 1.1 Evolutionary Aspects of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS).- 1.2 Historical Background of RAS.- 1.3 Survey of Books and Reviews.- 2 Comparative Morphology of the Juxtaglomerular Apparatus (JGA).- 2.1 Mammals.- 2.1.1 Components of JGA.- 2.1.2 Juxtaglomerular (JG) Cells in Afferent Arterioles.- 2.1.2.1 Staining of Granules in JG Cells.- 2.1.2.2 Cellular Localization of Renin.- 2.1.2.3 Electron Microscopy.- 2.1.3 Extraglomerular Mesangium (EGM) and Macula Densa (MD).- 2.1.4 Efferent Arterioles.- 2.1.5 Peripolar Cells.- 2.2 Birds.- 2.3 Reptiles.- 2.4 Amphibians.- 2.5 Fishes.- 2.5.1 JG Cells in Teleosts with Glomerular Kidney.- 2.5.2 JG Cells in Teleosts with Aglomerular Kidney.- 2.5.3 Renin Activity, MD, EGM and Peripolar Cells in Glomerular and Aglomerular Fishes.- 2.5.4 Sarcopterygians and Primitive Bony Fishes.- 2.5.5 Holocephalans.- 2.5.6 Elasmobranchs.- 2.5.7 Cyclostomes.- 2.5.8 Summary.- 3 Innervation in the JGA.- 3.1 Light Microscopy.- 3.2 Electron Microscopy.- 3.3 Summary.- 4 Tissue Distribution of the RAS.- 4.1 Renin.- 4.2 Angiotensinogen.- 4.3 Converting Enzyme.- 4.4 Angiotensins.- 4.5 Nonmammalian Vertebrates.- 5 Regulation of Renin Release.- 5.1 Factors Affecting Renin Release.- 5.1.1 Baroreceptor.- 5.1.2 Macula Densa.- 5.1.3 Renal Nerve.- 5.1.4 Humoral Factors.- 5.1.4.1 Ions.- 5.1.4.2 Amines.- 5.1.4.3 Peptides.- 5.1.4.4 Steroids.- 5.1.4.5 Prostaglandins.- 5.1.4.6 Adenosines.- 5.2 Subcellular Mechanisms.- 5.3 Nonmammalian Vertebrates.- 5.3.1 Birds.- 5.3.2 Reptiles.- 5.3.3 Amphibians.- 5.3.4 Fishes.- 6 Biochemistry of the RAS.- 6.1 Renin.- 6.2 Angiotensinogen.- 6.3 Angiotensin I.- 6.4. Converting Enzyme.- 6.5 Angiotensinases.- 6.6 Nonmammalian Vertebrates.- 6.6.1 Birds.- 6.6.2 Reptiles.- 6.6.3 Amphibians.- 6.6.4 Fishes.- 7 Angiotensin Receptors.- 7.1 Structure of ANG II Receptors.- 7.2 ANG II Receptors in Target Tissues.- 7.2.1 Peripheral Tissues.- 7.2.1.1 Muscular Tissues.- 7.2.1.2 Nonmuscular Tissues.- 7.2.2 Central Nervous System.- 7.3 Signal Transduction of ANG II Receptors.- 7.4 Nonmammalian Vertebrates.- 8 Biological Actions of ANG II.- 8.1 Renal Dipsogen - Historical Background.- 8.2 Exogenous ANG II and Drinking.- 8.2.1 Mammals.- 8.2.2 Birds.- 8.2.3 Reptiles.- 8.2.4 Amphibians.- 8.2.5 Fishes.- 8.2.6 Summary.- 8.3 Endogenous ANG II and Drinking.- 8.3.1 Plasma ANG II and Drinking.- 8.3.2 Drinking and ANG II Antagonists, Renin Inhibitors and Converting Enzyme Inhibitors.- 8.3.3 Brain ANG and Drinking.- 8.3.4 Summary.- 8.4 Sites of Action of ANG II in Drinking.- 8.4.1 Subfornical Organ (SFO).- 8.4.2 Preoptic Area.- 8.4.3 Organum Vasculosum of Lamina Terminalis (OVLT).- 8.4.4 Median Preoptic Nucleus (MnPO).- 8.4.5 Neural Connections Between SFO, OVLT and MnPO.- 8.4.6 Other Possible Receptive Sites for ANG II.- 8.4.7 Nonmammalian Vertebrates.- 8.4.8 Summary.- 8.5 ANG II and Sodium Appetite.- 8.5.1 Mammals.- 8.5.2 Birds.- 8.5.3 Summary.- 8.6 Release of Hormones by ANG II.- 8.6.1 Neurohypophysial Hormones.- 8.6.2 ACTH and CRH.- 8.6.3 Prolactin (PRL).- 8.6.4 GH and TSH.- 8.6.5 LH and LHRH.- 8.6.6 Corticoids.- 8.7 Other Actions of ANG II.- 9 General Conclusions.- 9.1 Comparative Anatomy of the RAS.- 9.1.1 Invertebrates.- 9.1.2 Components of JGA.- 9.1.3 Tissue RAS.- 9.2 Renin Release.- 9.3 Comparative Biochemistry of the RAS.- 9.3.1 Components of the RAS.- 9.3.2 Receptors and Cellular Mechanisms.- 9.4 Biological Actions.- 9.4.1 Body Fluid Regulation.- 9.4.2 Ecological Aspects of ANG II-Induced Drinking.- 9.4.3 ANG II and Reaction to Emergency.- References.