DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF ANGIOTENSIN-II RECEPTOR SUBTYPE MESSENGER-RNAS (AT-1A AND AT-1B) IN THE BRAIN

Two highly similar rat angiotensin II, type 1 receptor cDNAs (AT1) have been described that probably are encoded by separate genes. AT1A subtype mRNA was expressed in vascular smooth muscle whereas AT1B mRNA was expressed in adrenal and pituitary. Here we measured the two AT1 subtype mRNAs in brain using reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reactions. AT1B mRNA was predominant in subfornical organ (SFO) and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), the two regions that mediate angiotensin II-induced drinking behavior, and also in cerebellum. AT1A mRNA was predominant in the hypothalamus. Thus, the two AT1 receptor subtypes established to reside in peripheral tissues also are found in the central nervous system where the AT1B subtype may mediate drinking behavior. © 1992.