[Mineralocorticoid receptor: an update].

The aldosterone-mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) system is traditionally considered as a system involved in the homeostatic regulation of body fluid and blood pressure in our body. A landmark clinical trial RALES caused a paradigm shift: growing attention has been focused on its role as a mediator of target organ damage. Recent studies clarified novel aspects of MR action in the pathophysiology of cardiac injury, through the analyses of genetically-engineered mice. My group focused on the anti-proteinuric effects of MR antagonist, and examined the role of MR overactivation in the progression of chronic kidney disease, and mechanisms of ligand-independent MR activation. In this paper, I would like to review the recent progress in the field of MR research.