G protein-coupled receptor kinases and hypertension: A review of disease mechanisms

The understanding of molecular mechanisms of complex physiological phenomena, such as cardiac contractile function or blood pressure homeostasis, has generated the need for a new generation of scientists who must be able to conjugate intrinsic biological mechanisms and clinical manifestations of disease. From this body of knowledge new strategies of disease management or therapeutic tools are derived, creating the ground for translational medicine, which provides the bridge from basic science to the medical arena. The investigation of G protein-coupled receptor kinases in the cardiovascular system is one example of the successful transposition of basic science to the field of heart and vascular disorders. This review attempts to assemble the currently available information in this continuing area of research for the class of scientists now referred to as 'translational researchers'.