DISTRIBUTION OF ANGIOTENSIN-II RECEPTORS IN THE BRAIN OF NONHUMAN-PRIMATES

Angiotensin II binding sites were demonstrated at discrete nuclei in the brain of three nonhuman primate species by autoradiography, using the agonist ligand, [Sar1]AII. Although there were some differences in location of the binding sites, all three species exhibited a characteristic pattern of distribution in areas related to water intake, vasopressin secretion, and blood pressure regulation through modulation of sympathetic activity. Studies in the cynomolgus monkey with the antagonist ligand, [Sar1,Ile8]AII, which localizes in pathways as well as nuclei, revealed novel regions of binding including the habenular-interpeduncular pathway, ventral bundle, and XII nerve, in addition to the X nerve. These data indicated that AII, as in other species, has a role in the central homeostatic control mechanisms in the primate. © 1990.