Abstract-TheKey Words: receptors Ⅲ neuropeptides Ⅲ peptides Ⅲ hypertension T he renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is essential for the development and maintenance of genetic hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). 1,2 Moreover, transplantation studies reveal that, in addition to the RAS, the SHR kidney is pivotal to the pathophysiology of hypertension in the SHR. 3,4 Finally, the renal sympathetic nervous system also appears to importantly contribute to the pathophysiology of hypertension in SHRs. In support of this latter concept, chronic denervation of the SHR kidney both delays the development of hypertension and attenuates the maximum increase in blood pressure in SHR. [5][6][7][8] Thus, there appears to be a coinvolvement of the RAS, the sympathetic nervous system, and the kidney in SHR hypertension.Many studies have been performed in search of a possible explanation for the coinvolvement of the RAS and the kidney in SHR hypertension. In this regard, studies do not support an increased expression of renal angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors 9 or increased levels of circulating 10 or renal 11 Ang II; also, SHRs do not have altered renal Ang II degradation rates. 12 However, SHRs do exhibit increased renovascular responses to Ang II, 13,14 and this appears to be the explanation for the coinvolvement of the RAS and the kidney in SHR hypertension.Our previous research indicates that G i mediates, in part, the enhanced renovascular response to Ang II in SHR. For example, pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of G i , abolishes the increased renovascular response to Ang II in SHR. 15,16 Importantly, activation of renal sympathetic nerves leads to the release of neuropeptide Y (NPY). 17 NPY is an example of a pancreatic polypeptide (PP)-fold peptide, 18 and NPY binds with high affinity to Y 1 , Y 2 ,