KALLIKREIN-KININ SYSTEM: A REVIEW
G.A.YAROVAYA Russian Postgraduate Medical Academy, 2 Barrikadnaya str., Moscow, 123836 Russia, tel (095) 945 2415, E-mail: yarov@cardpl.msk.ru The kallikrein-kinin system (ККS) is the key proteolytic system participating in control of a wide spectrum of physiological functions and the development of many pathological conditions. This explains great interest in structures, functions and molecular biology of separate components of the system, molecular mechanisms of their interaction and relationship with other regulatory systems. The information in this field for the last two decades clarifies the role of ККS in morphogenesis of cells, regulation of smooth muscular contractility of some organs, decrease of blood pressure, increase of vascular permeability, the development of inflammation, transformation of cells and the other functions of both physiological and pathological processes. Essential progress in understanding of functions ККS was made by the discovery and study of bradykinin receptors, cloning of kininogen and kallikrein encoding genes, revealing of domain structure of kininogen, prekallikrein and some kininase and decoding of mechanisms of contact phase of proteolytic system activation in blood plasma. Key words: kallikrein . kinin system, kininogen, bradykinin, prekallikrein, kallikrein, bradykinin receptors.
