Figure 1.

The conventional and identified pathways of RAS axis. Angiotensinogen (AGT) is produced by the liver, then hydrolyzed by renin. Renin, produced by the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney and then form Angiotensin I (Ang I). Next, Ang I is hydrolyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), to produce the downstream receptor-angiotensin II (Ang II). Ang II usually responses to two receptors, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R). ACE2 catalyzes Ang II to Angiotensin (1-7) (Ang (1-7)), which are also the product of cleaving Angiotensin (1-9) (Ang (1-9)). Ang (1-7) commonly interact with mitochondrial assembly receptor (Mas receptor or MasR). Cleavaged by ACE and decarboxylase (DC) respectively, Ang A and Ang (1-7) was connected through Alamandine, which siganals through MbbAS-related G protein couple receptor D (MRGD). In addition to Ang II, there are Angiotensin III (Ang III) and Angiotensin IV (Ang IV) identified in this path. IRAP (insulin-regulated membrane aminopeptidase; also called AT4R) is a binding site for Ang IV (1-7). APA, aminopeptidase A; APN, aminopep-tidase N; DC, decarboxylase; MLDAD, mononuclear leukocyte-derived aspartate DC; NEP, neutral endopeptidase; PEP, prolyendopeptidase [9].