Several experiments suggest an important interaction between Ang-(1-7) and prostaglandin-bradykinin-nitric oxide (NO) systems. Ang-(1-7) binds to the Mas receptor (G protein-coupled receptor) which mediates vasodilating and antiproliferative actions of this peptide [31] . The Mas receptor can hetero-oligomerize with the AT1 receptor and acts as a physiological antagonist of Ang II [32] . Studies revealed that Ang-(1-7) activated endothelial nitric oxide synthase and NO production via Akt-dependent pathways [33] . Furthermore, Tallant et al. [34] showed that the presence of an antisense probe directed against Mas abolished the Ang-(1-7)-induced inhibition of protein synthesis in cardiomyocytes. This study also revealed that Ang-(1-7) decreased serum-stimulated ERK1/ERK2 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity, a response that was blocked by D-Ala 7-Ang-(1-7), an antagonist of Mas receptor.