Biochemical and molecular pharmacology of kinin receptors

• Published in: Annual review of pharmacology and toxicology Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 511 - 536
• Main Authors: Farmer, S G, Burch, R M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-01-1992
• Subjects: Animals; Humans; Receptors, Bradykinin; Receptors, Neurotransmitter - drug effects; Receptors, Neurotransmitter - metabolism
• ISSN: 0362-1642; 1545-4304
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev.pa.32.040192.002455

Bradykinin (BK; Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Ser-Pro-Phe-Arg) is a potent inflammatory peptide whose generation in tissues and body fluids elicits numerous responses including vasodilation, edema, smooth muscle spasm, as well as pain and hyperalgesia via stimulation of C- and A-fibers. There is substantial evidence that BK and related kinins, such as kallidin (Lys-BK, or KD), contribute to the inflammatory response in acute and chronic diseases including allergic reactions, arthritis, asthma, sepsis, viral rhinitis, and inflammatory bowel diseases. The past few years have witnessed an abundance of reviews on regulation of the biosynthesis, release, and degradation of kinins, in addition to their physiological and pathophysiological effects. Here we highlight recent advances in our understanding of biochemical and molecular aspects of kinin receptor pharmacology. (DBO)