Circulating versus tissue renin-angiotensin system: on the origin of (pro)renin.
Angiotensin synthesis at tissue sites is well established, and interference with tissue angiotensin is now believed to underlie the beneficial effects of renin-angiotensin system blockers. Initially, it was thought that the renin required to synthesize angiotensin at tissue sites was also synthesized locally. However, recent studies show this is not the case at important cardiovascular sites (eg, the heart and vessel wall). Moreover, extrarenal sites that express the renin gene release prorenin, the inactive precursor of renin, instead of renin. This review provides an update on the sources of (pro)renin in the body, lists the known stimulants and inhibitors of its production, and discusses the concept that prorenin rather than renin determines tissue angiotensin generation.
Krop
Manne
M
Division of Vascular Pharmacology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Danser
A H Jan
AH
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors
D000804:Angiotensin II; D012083:Renin; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors