Cloning, Characterization, and Genetic Mapping of the Rat Type 2 Angiotensin II Receptor Gene

Abstract

Abstract The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in blood pressure homeostasis, but the contribution of the type 2 angiotensin II receptor (AT ₂ R) is still unclear. The reports that the AT ₂ R gene has been mapped to the X chromosome in human and rat and the previous report of a gene, Bp3, on the X chromosome responsible for an increase in blood pressure have suggested that the rat AT ₂ R gene (Agtr2) could be this gene. To elucidate whether Agtr2 is Bp3, Agtr2 was cloned. A simple sequence repeat in the 3′-flanking region of this gene was identified and used as a genetic marker to map Agtr2 to the X chromosome at 18.1 cM distal to the androgen receptor locus. This map position is outside the confidence interval reported for Bp3, demonstrating that Agtr2 cannot be Bp3 . However, these data will enhance the research into the AT ₂ R biology as well as the study of the X chromosome.