The Importence of Urotensin and Urotensin Receptors in Cardiovascular System

Urotensin 2 (UT 2) which is a cyclic peptid was first identified about 45 years ago and due to its potent vasoconstrictor effect it has attracted the attention of the scientific community. UT 2 binds to a class of G protein-coupled receptor known as GPR14. Receptors for UT 2 are located on peripheral vascular smooth muscle, heart and kidney. In healthy people it has minor role, while in patients with disease it has a more prominent role. Main positive effects of UT 2 in cardiovasculer system are positive inotropic effect, vasoconsctruction, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, vasodilatation which related the state of endothelin and vascular bed. Recent investigations have showed that UT 2 plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases. Although the effects of UT 2 and UT 2 receptors on cardiovascular system is a quite extensively studied subject. The studies and the results obtained from these studies are somewhat complex. Previous studies in heart failure has demonstrated that these receptors do not play a major role in heart failure but in later studies it has been shown that these receptors have a potential role in the pathophysiology of this disease. In addition, the level of UT 2 has increased in coronary heart disease, ischemic heart disease and atherosclerosis. It is an important research topic whether these receptors play a role in pathophysiology or they are very important part of defense mechanism. Therefoore, these receptors are regarded as a promising target in the scientific community. As a result, we think that in future these receptors will gain a seat and more importence in the pathophysiology in many diseases especially in cardiovascular diseases as well as in the defense mechanism of these diseases