Physiology of the vasopressin receptors

• Published in: Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 253 - 263
• Main Authors: Maybauer, Marc O., MD, PhD, Maybauer, Dirk M., MD, PhD, Enkhbaatar, Perenlei, MD, PhD, Traber, Daniel L., PhD, FCCM
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2008
• Subjects: amino acid sequences; Anesthesia & Perioperative Care; Animals; arginine-vasopressin (AVP); Humans; hypovolemia; Molecular Conformation; oxytocin (ot); Receptors, Oxytocin - genetics; Receptors, Oxytocin - physiology; Receptors, Purinergic - genetics; Receptors, Purinergic - physiology; Receptors, Vasopressin - chemistry; Receptors, Vasopressin - genetics; Receptors, Vasopressin - physiology; sepsis; V1 receptor agonist; vasopressin; vasopressin (VP); oxytocin (ot); amino acid sequences; V1 receptor agonist; vasopressin; arginine-vasopressin (AVP); sepsis; vasopressin (VP); hypovolemia
• ISSN: 1521-6896; 1532-169X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bpa.2008.03.003

This review article summarizes the structure, signalling pathways, and tissue distribution of the vasopressin receptors, V1 vascular, V2 renal, V3 pituitary, and oxytocin receptors, as well as the P2 class of purinoceptors. The physiological effects of vasopressin on its receptors are described. The future direction with regard to the role of the V1a receptor in circulatory shock states is discussed; further studies with V1a receptor agonists are warranted to further develop treatment strategies to reduce mortality in life threatening diseases like septic shock.