Angiotensin-(1-7) and the renin-angiotensin system.

In this review we will focus on the recent findings related to angiotensin-(1-7) as an angiotensin II counter-regulatory peptide within the renin-angiotensin system. The identification of the angiotensin-converting enzyme homologue ACE2 as an angiotensin peptide processing enzyme and of Mas as a receptor for angiotensin-(1-7) has contributed to establishing this heptapeptide as a biologically active member of the renin-angiotensin system cascade. The previously unsuspected complexity of the renin-angiotensin system, unmasked by novel findings, has revealed new possibilities for exploring its physiological and pathophysiological roles. In addition, the ACE2-angiotensin-(1-7)-Mas axis may be seriously considered as a putative target for the development of new cardiovascular drugs.