Angiotensin II type-1 receptor regulates RhoA and Rho-kinase/ROCK activation via multiple mechanisms. Focus on Angiotensin II induces RhoA activation through SHP2-dependent dephosphorylation of the RhoGAP p190A in vascular smooth muscle cells

angiotensin ii, a crucial regulator of the cardiovascular system, is not only required for physiological functions, such as maintenance of blood pressure and plasma sodium concentration but also is involved in pathophysiological conditions such as hypertension and atherosclerosis (26). Angiotensin II exerts its effect by mainly binding to the angiotensin II type-1 (AT1) receptor. As its seven transmembrane structure suggests, the AT1 receptor couples to several heterotrimeric G proteins including Gq. In addition, the activation of the AT1 receptor leads to increased reactive oxygen species; activation of various protein tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases; and of small G proteins such as Ras, Rac, and RhoA, which may require heterotrimeric G protein-dependent and -independent mechanisms (6, 7, 11, 19).