Internalisation of the type I angiotensin II receptor (AT1) and angiotensin II function in the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cell.

Little is known about the cellular localisation of the angiotensin II (AII) type 1 receptor (AT1) in the rat adrenal glomerulosa cell, but some studies have suggested that receptor internalisation and recycling may occur. Using a specific monoclonal antibody (6313/G2) to the first extracellular domain, we show here that most of the receptor is internalised in the unstimulated cell. When viable glomerulosa cells are incubated with 6313/G2, the receptor is transiently concentrated on the cell surface, and aldosterone output is stimulated. This stimulated output is enhanced by neither threshold nor maximal stimulatory concentrations of AII amide, although the antibody does not inhibit AII binding to the receptor. Conversely, the stimulatory actions of the antibody and those of ACTH are additive. The data suggest that recycling to the plasma membrane is constitutive, or regulated by unknown factors. Retention of the AT1 receptor in the membrane is alone enough to allow sufficient G protein interaction to generate maximal stimulatory events.