Subcellular characteristics of functional intracellular renin-angiotensin systems

► Compelling evidence now exists for complete, independent, differentially regulated intracellular renin-angiotensin systems in many tissues. ► Angiotensinogen, the enzymes renin and angiotensin converting enzyme and angiotensin peptides can be synthesized and retained intracellularly. ► Angiotensin receptors (AT1 and AT2) are abundant intracellularly mainly at the nuclear and mitochondrial levels. ► Functional intracellular renin-angiotensin system units have been documented both in nuclei and mitochondria.