Angiotensin II type 2 receptor inhibits cell proliferation and activates tyrosine phosphatase.

The angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor inhibits basic fibroblast growth factor-induced proliferation of R3T3 fibroblast cells and transiently stimulates a vanadate-sensitive phosphotyrosine phosphatase, strongly suggesting that AT2 is a mitogen inhibitor. We generated AT2 gene-null mice that showed increased blood pressure, indicating the hypotensive action of AT2. However, inhibition of renomedullary AT2 by selective antagonists, as reported by Sassard and associates, show that AT2 suppresses pressure natriuresis. Thus, both AT1 and AT2 work in the direction of sodium retention, suggesting a unique role for angiotensin II in the kidney in terms of blood pressure regulation and sodium metabolism.