Molecular and evolutionary perspectives of the renin-angiotensin system from lamprey

Highlights • Molecular and phylogenetic evidence suggested that lamprey possessed the earliest evolved renin-angiotensin system. • Lamprey angiotensinogen possesses transitional features between serine-protease inhibitor and substrate for renin-angiotensin system. • Two types of angiotensins in lamprey are involved in blood pressure regulation and endocrine mimicry for parasitism. • A role of horizontal gene transfer was suggested to introduce angiotensin components in invertebrates.