Urotensin II
CardiovascularAlso known as: UII, U-II, hU-II
Urotensin PeptidesResearch phase: PreclinicalRegulatory: Not approved as drug. Endogenous peptide. UT antagonists in early development.
Mechanism
Urotensin II is the most potent vasoconstrictor peptide known, approximately 10 times more potent than endothelin-1. It is implicated in heart failure, atherosclerosis, and metabolic syndrome.
Technical detail
Urotensin II is an 11-amino acid cyclic peptide signaling through the UT receptor (GPR14). It is the most potent mammalian vasoconstrictor identified (EC50 ~0.3 nM in rat aorta). Effects include vasoconstriction, cardiac remodeling, fibrosis, and insulin resistance. Paradoxically, it can also produce vasodilation in some vascular beds via endothelial NO release. UT receptor antagonists are under investigation for cardiovascular diseases.