Human prorenin determination by hybrid immunocapture liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry: A mixed-solvent-triggered digestion utilizing D-optimal design

RATIONALE

Human prorenin, representing the precursor of mature renin, has been discussed as a potential biomarker, e.g. in diagnosing primary hyperaldosteronism or diabetes-induced nephropathy. Currently, only immunoassays are available for prorenin quantification. As the similarity of prorenin to active renin impedes its accurate determination by immunoassay, mass spectrometry appears as an accurate alternative for differentiation of that protein.

METHODS

Immunoaffinity purification plus a mixed-solvent-triggered digestion was combined with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) to enable a fast, sensitive, and less laboratory-intensive approach to the quantification of prorenin. Statistical experimental planning, which is known as Design of Experiments (DOE), was used to identify the optimal conditions for the generation of the signature peptides within a manageable number of experiments. The efficiency of the mixed-solvent-triggered digestion by trypsin was investigated using four different organic solvents: acetonitrile, acetone, tetrahydrofuran and methanol.

RESULTS

By utilizing a D-optimal design, we found that the optimal mixed-solvent type for the generation of both signature peptides was acetonitrile at a concentration of 84% and an incubation temperature of 16°C. Using the mixed-solvent-triggered digestion, the procedure time allowed a fast analysis of active renin and prorenin with a short digestion time of 98 min. This optimized mixed-solvent-triggered digestion procedure was applied to detect renin and prorenin successfully in human plasma by the newly developed hybrid approach.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of unique surrogates for human prorenin enabled the mass spectrometric differentiation between the two similar proteins. The novel hybrid approach successfully proved its ability to purify, detect and distinguish between prorenin and active renin in human plasma.

Efficient Production of Recombinant Human (Pro)renin Utilizing a Decahistidine Tag Attached at the C-Terminus

Human prorenin attached by a decahistidine tag at the C-terminus was produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The tagged protein secreted into the culture medium was in the inactive prorenin form, and was activated to mature renin by proteolytic removal of its prosegment by trypsin in the same manner as native prorenin. The tagged (pro)renin was efficiently purified by metal-chelate affinity chromatography. The enzymatic properties of mature renin carrying the tag were similar to native renin. These results indicate that the introduction of a decahistidine tag at the C-terminus does not interfere with either the correct folding of prorenin or the catalytic activity of mature renin.

Purified angiotensin converting enzyme from Rana esculenta ovary influences ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro

The aim of the present study was to purify and characterize angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) present in frog ovary (Rana esculenta). Detergent and trypsin-extracted enzymes were purified using a one-step process, consisting of affinity chromatography on lisinopril coupled to Sepharose 6B. The molecular mass was 150 kDa for both detergent-extracted and trypsin-extracted enzyme. The specific activity of detergent-extracted and trypsin-extracted ACE was 294 U mg(-1) and 326 U mg(-1) respectively. The optimum pH range was from 7-8.5 at 37 degrees C and the optimum temperature was 50 degrees C. Optimum chloride concentration was about 200 mM for synthetic substrate FAPGG (N-[3-(2-furyl)acryloyl] L-phenylalanyl glycyl glycine) and angiotensin I, and 10 mM for bradykinin. The Km and Kcat values for FAPGG were 0.608 +/- 0.07 mM and 249 sec(-1) respectively and I50 values for captopril and lisinopril, two specific ACE inhibitors, were 68 +/- 12.55 nM and 6.763 +/- 0.66 nM respectively. Frog ovary tissue from prereproductive period was incubated in vitro in the presence of frog ovary ACE (2.5 mU/ml), captopril (0.1 mM), and lisinopril (0.1 mM). Production of 17beta-estradiol, progesterone, and prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha was determined. The data showed a modulation of 17beta-estradiol, progesterone and prostaglandin E2 production by ovary ACE.

A renin-like enzyme in the leech Theromyzon tessulatum

We report on the biochemical isolation and characterization of a 32 kDa aspartyl protease from the leech Theromyzon tessulatum. Following a three step purification (gel permeation chromatography, pepstatin A-sepharose affinity column separation followed by reversed-phase HPLC) a renin-like enzyme was purified to homogeneity. The first 124 amino acid residues of the N-terminal part of the purified S-pyridylethylated leech renin exhibits a 26.5-35.5% sequence identity with that of mammals. The 20-81 region of leech renin exhibits a 80% sequence homology with the 175-232 region in mammals. This highly conserved region, which is also found in all aspartic proteases, possesses the aspartyl catalytic residue (D11TGSS). Leech renin hydrolyses at neutral pH and at 37 degrees C the Leu10-Leu11 bond of synthetic porcine angiotensinogen tetradecapeptide yielding the angiotensin I and the Leu11-Val12-Tyr13-Ser14 peptides, with a specific activity of 115 microg AI/min/mg (K[M] 22 microM; K[cat], 2.7). This hydrolysis is inhibited by pepstatin A (IC50: 4.6 microM). Moreover, this enzyme is found on a multiple hormone precursor of 19 kDa which exhibits a specific activity of 850 pmol AI/min/mg of renin. This is the first biochemical characterization of a renin-like enzyme in invertebrates and non-mammalian vertebrates.

Spontaneous inhibition or inactivation of renin in rat plasma

Renin appears to be rapidly inactivated in vitro. The present study was undertaken to clarify this observation and to establish the existence of substances involved in renin inactivation. The disappearance rate of renin (including pure renin) was measured in plasma incubated at 37 degrees C and in circulating blood. Pure renin added to plasmas disappears in vitro at the same rate (t1/2 approximately or equal to 40 min) that renin in plasma from normal rats and from rats submitted to a hemorrhage. This process appears not to be mediated by proteases. The disappearance rate of endogenous renin in the normal group (n = 18) was 39.7 min with rapid phase (R) of t1/2 = 14.2 min and a slow phase (S) of t1/2 = 94.3 min), whereas it was 32.1 min (t1/2 R = 13.1 min and t1/2 S = 69.1 min) in rats submitted to an hemorrhage (n = 6). The t1/2 of pure renin was 31.4 min (t1/2 R = 13.3 min and t1/2 S = 69.2 min). Incubation of plasma reveals that renin is inactivated or inhibited in vitro at a similar rate than in circulating plasma. These results suggest that inactivation and sequestration of renin could be two independent mechanisms in the maintenance of plasma renin activity.

Prorenin activation and prohormone convertases in the mouse As4.1 cell line

The precise identification of prorenin-processing enzymes has been hampered by the very low abundance of juxtaglomerular cells in the kidney. Recently, an immortalized renin-producing renal tumor cell line (As4.1) has been proposed as a model to carry out such studies. Despite the fact that they contain secretory granules, we found no evidence (on the basis of enzymatic assays of renin activity in the supernatant of the cells and of immunoprecipitations experiments) that the As4.1 cells can secrete active renin through the regulated pathway. As4.1 cells produce only renin-1, as they derive from a strain of mice expressing only one renin gene. However, stable transfection of these cells with a renin-2 expression plasmid increased the capacity of this cell line to secrete active renin in the regulated pathway. Northern blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction amplification (RT-PCR) assays revealed that furin, PACE4 and PC5 were the only members of the proprotein convertase (PC) family to be present in these cells. As PC5 is the only such enzyme with the demonstrated ability to process mouse prorenin 2, it may constitute a candidate enzyme for the processing of prorenin-2 in mouse juxtaglomerular cells. However, it is not likely to be involved in the processing of mouse prorenin 1.

Purification and assay methods for angiotensin-converting enzyme

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE; EN 3.4.15.1) is a peptidyl dipeptide hydrolase that removes the carboxyl terminal His-Leu from angiotensin I to produce the octapeptide angiotensin II. In addition, ACE inactivates bradykinin, a vasodilator peptide/mediator of inflammation, as well as substance P, enkephalins and endorphins. Because of the importance of ACE and its active site-directed inhibitors in the pathogenesis and treatment of cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension and heart failure, ACE purification and assay are of clinical and commercial, as well as scientific interest. This review summarizes the historical development of ACE purification and assay methods and presents some innovative high-performance liquid chromatography-based techniques developed in our own laboratory for high yield and efficient purification and sensitive and specific assay of ACE.

Specific prorenin/renin binding (ProBP). Identification and characterization of a novel membrane site

Renin can be detected in cardiovascular and other tissues but it disappears after bilateral nephrectomy indicating that tissues can take up or bind renal renin from the circulation. If renin uptake is the result of specific binding, plasma prorenin may be a natural antagonist of tissue directed renin-angiotensin systems. To investigate if specific prorenin/renin uptake occurs in rat tissues, binding studies were performed, with rat microsomal membrane preparations using recombinant rat prorenin metabolically labeled with 35S-methionine as a probe. A high affinity binding site for both renin and prorenin was identified. Affinities for prorenin and renin were approximately 200 and 900 pmol/L, respectively. Binding was reversible, saturable, and pH and temperature dependent. The relative binding capacities of membranes from various rat tissues were as follows (fmol/mg): renal cortex (55), liver (54), testis (63), lung (31), brain (18), renal medulla (15), adrenal (17), aorta (7), heart (4), and skeletal muscle (1). Bound prorenin was displaced by rat and human renin or prorenin but not by the prosequence of rat prorenin, angiotensin I or II, rat or human angiotensinogen, the renin inhibitor SQ30697, atrial natriuretic factor, amylase, insulin, bovine serum albumin, hemoglobin, heparin, lysozyme, ovalbumin, cytochrome C, pepsin, pepsinogen, ribonuclease A, mannose-6-phosphate, alpha-methyl mannoside, gonadotropin releasing hormone, or an antibody to hog renin binding protein. these results demonstrate specific binding of prorenin to a site in rat tissues, herein named ProBP, that also binds renin. It is possible that differences in prorenin/renin binding capacity determine the activity of tissue-directed renin-angiotensin systems and that prorenin is a natural antagonist. Alternatively, a prorenin/renin receptor may have been identified that may function by transducing an intracellular signal.

Recombinant human renin produced in different expression systems: biochemical properties and 3D structure

Human renin has been expressed in Sf9 and CHO cells using two different gene constructs. The first construct contained a foreign signal peptide fused directly to the sequence encoding mature renin, whereas the second construct harbors the sequence for preprorenin. Prorenin was produced in significantly higher amounts than the mature enzyme expressed without its propeptide in both expression systems. Both directly expressed mature renin and proteolytically derived active renin have been purified and cocrystallized with the renin inhibitor Ro 42-5892. The 3D structure has been solved for both versions and demonstrates identity despite different glycosylation and different N termini.

Enzymatic characterization of purified recombinant human renin

Renin is a highly specific aspartyl protease of the renin-angiotensin system initially synthesized as preprorenin. Recombinant human prorenin was produced in cell factories from stably transfected DAMP cells, a dog epithelial cell line. The equivalent of 10-15 mg of recombinant human renin was secreted in the supernatant from each cell factory. Following a single affinity chromatography step using a renin inhibitor as the ligand, a 181-fold purification was achieved with 81% recovery of the renin activity. This highly pure recombinant enzyme having a specific activity of 3.44 mg angiotensin I.mg protein-1.h-1 was used for kinetic analysis. The kinetic parameters were determined with the natural substrate angiotensinogen and a tetradecapeptide substrate corresponding to the amino terminus of angiotensinogen, Asp1-Asn14, at their respective optimum pH of 5.5 and 6.8. Although there was a six-fold increase in both Km and kcat values for the peptidic substrate (13.3 microM and 8.1 s-1, respectively), when compared with values for the natural substrate (2.04 microM and 1.41 s-1), the catalytic efficiency (0.69 microM-1.s-1) of the enzyme for both substrates was the same. However, the kcat/Km value with angiotensinogen at the physiological pH 7.4 was 30% lower than that observed at the optimum pH 5.5. The recombinant human renin displayed similar optimum pH and kinetic parameters with angiotensinogen and the tetradecapeptide substrate when compared with human kidney renin.

Isolation of a renin-like enzyme from the leech Theromyzon tessulatum

This article reports the purification of a renin-like enzyme (an aspartyl protease) from head parts of the leech Theromyzon tessulatum. After four steps of purification including gel permeation and anion exchange chromatographies followed by reversed-phase HPLC, this enzyme was purified to homogeneity. The renin-like enzyme (of 32 kDa) hydrolyses at neutral pH and at 37 degrees C, the Leu10-Leu11 bond of synthetic porcine angiotensinogen tetradecapeptide yielding the angiotensin I and the Leu11-Val12-Tyr13-Ser14 peptide as products, with a specific activity of 1.35 pmol AI/min/mg (Km 22 microM; Kcat 2.7). The hydrolysis of angiotensinogen is inhibitable at 90% by pepstatin A (IC50 = 4.6 microM), consistent with a renin activity. This is the first biochemical evidence of renin-like enzyme in invertebrates.

Scaled-up production of recombinant human renin in CHO cells for enzymatic and X-ray structure analysis

A process was developed to produce recombinant human renin for X-ray analysis and enzyme inhibition studies. An expression vector containing a human prorenin cDNA and expressing a mouse dihydrofolate reductase selection marker was transfected into dhfr-minus Chinese hamster ovary cells. After selection of cell strains with an increased gene copy number with methotrexate, cultures of the recombinant cells were scaled-up in serum-free media. Major improvements in cellular productivity were achieved by using continuous suspension cultures with cell recycling instead of an adherent culture system or batch-mode suspension cultures. The recombinant zymogen prorenin was purified and preparatively activated with trypsin. Enzymatic properties of the recombinant active renin are described.

Role of renin isoelectric heterogeneity in renal storage and secretion of renin

Renin is a glycoprotein that is heterogeneous with respect to carbohydrate content and net charge. In an attempt to clarify the role of renin isoelectric heterogeneity in renal renin storage and secretion, the isoelectric profile of renal renin, secreted renin, and circulating renin were directly assessed and compared under basal and stimulated conditions by the use of an in vivo blood perfused rabbit kidney preparation. Under basal conditions, the kidney preferentially stored and secreted the relatively basic isoelectric forms of renin. Acute stimulation of renin secretion (reduced renal perfusion pressure and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition) significantly increased the secretion of the relatively basic isoelectric forms but had very little effect on the secretion of the relatively acidic renin forms. Circulating renin was composed primarily of relatively basic forms, which increased disproportionately after stimulation of renin secretion. These findings suggest that the isoelectric heterogeneity of renin is important in the cellular processing of renin and can be explained by a two-pool model in which the relatively acidic isoelectric forms of renin are constitutively secreted (and not stored) and the relatively basic isoelectric forms represent a regulated pathway in which they are stored and rapidly released in response to acute secretory stimuli. Preferential hepatic extraction of the more basic isoelectric forms has previously been described. Data from this study suggest that the disproportionate increase in circulating basic forms of renin observed after acute stimulation reflects the net effect of preferential renal the more basic renin isoelectric forms. The disproportionate increase in relatively basic circulating renin forms after acute secretory stimulation results in an overall circulating renin activity with a shorter half-life.

A continuous fluorescence assay of renin activity

A sensitive fluorescence assay that employs a new fluorogenic peptide substrate has been developed to continuously measure the proteolytic activity of human renin. The substrate, DABCYL-gaba-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu-Val-Ile-His-Thr-EDANS, has been designed to incorporate the renin cleavage site that occurs in the N-terminal peptide of human angiotensinogen. The assay relies upon resonance energy transfer-mediated, intramolecular fluorescence quenching that occurs in the intact peptide substrate. Efficient fluorescence quenching occurs as a result of favorable energetic overlap of the EDANS excited state and the DABCYL absorption, and the relatively long excited state lifetime of the EDANS fluorophore. Cleavage of the substrate by renin liberates the peptidyl-EDANS fragment from proximity with the DABCYL acceptor, restoring the higher, unattenuated fluorescence of the EDANS moiety. This leads to a time-dependent increase in fluorescence intensity, directly related to the extent of substrate consumed by renin cleavage. The kinetics of renin-catalyzed hydrolysis of this substrate have been shown to be consistent with a simple substrate inhibition model with a substrate Km approximately equal to 1.5 microM at physiological pH; Cleavage of the substrate occurs specifically at the Leu-Val bond and corresponds to the renin cleavage site of angiotensinogen, as reported earlier. In this report, we describe in detail the synthesis of the fluorogenic renin substrate and its application in assays of renin activity. Assay sensitivity has been evaluated by a series of enzyme dilution experiments using the continuous assay format, showing that the assay can detect renin as low as 30 ng/ml after a incubation of only 3-5 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Subcellular distribution of differently glycosylated forms of active and inactive renin in rat kidney: effect of sodium depletion and captopril treatment

Distribution of differently glycosylated forms of active and inactive renin was investigated in fractions prepared by discontinuous density gradient centrifugation of rat kidney cortex homogenate. Concanavalin A (con A) chromatography separated active and inactive renin into three differently glycosylated forms in both cytosol and granule fractions: a minor con A unbound form (I), a loosely bound form (II), and the most predominant tightly bound form (III). After a long-term stimulation of renin synthesis and secretion by sodium depletion and captopril treatment the relative proportion of active renins I and II in granules significantly increased, while that of active renin III decreased. The relative proportion of inactive renins I and II in granule compared to cytosol fractions was significantly higher and that of inactive renin III was lower. The results indicate that glycosylation might have some relation to the rate of sorting of prorenin into the granules, or of its processing within granules. Alternatively, it might influence the rate of inactive renin release via the constitutive pathway.

Characterization of the oligosaccharide structures on recombinant human prorenin expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Prorenin was isolated by immunoprecipitation from the culture medium of Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with a human prorenin cDNA. The N-linked oligosaccharide structures on the in vivo [3H]mannose-labeled, purified protein were characterized using a combination of serial lectin affinity chromatography, high-pressure liquid chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, and size-exclusion chromatography and treatment with specific glycosidases and methylation analysis. Approximately 61% of the oligosaccharides on the molecule are complex type, in the form of tetraantennary (2%), 2,6-branched triantennary (13%), 2,4-branched triantennary (3%), and biantennary (43%) structures. The majority of all complex type structures are core-fucosylated. Sialic acids are linked at the C-3 position of terminal galactose, and the degree of sialylation of the bi- and triantennary structures varies between nonsialylated and fully sialylated; no tetraatennary structure contains more than three sialic acid residues. Recombinant prorenin contains 4% hybrid-type structures, all of which carry a terminal sialic acid residue. The remaining 35% of the structures on the molecule are high mannose type, composed of 5, 6, or 7 mannose residues. Approximately 6% of the high mannose type structures and 10% of the hybrid structures are phosphorylated, as judged by their susceptibility to treatment with alkaline phosphatase. Compositional analysis of an unlabeled preparation of the protein suggested the presence of approximately 1.4 oligosaccharide units per molecule.

Purification and characterization of human truncated prorenin

Posttranslational processing of enzymatically inactive prorenin to an active form participates in the control of the activity of a key system involved in blood pressure regulation, growth, and other important functions. The issue is complicated because renin can be produced by a number of tissues throughout the body, in addition to the kidney, but the mechanism by which they process prorenin to renin is unknown and difficult to determine because of the small amounts of renin present. In the juxtaglomerular cell of the kidney, a 43 amino acid prosegment is cleaved from the amino terminus of prorenin to generate renin of molecular weight 44,000 [Do, Y. S., Shinagawa, T., Tam, H., Inagami, T., & Hsueh, W. A. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 1037-1043]. Using human uterine lining or a recombinant human prorenin system, we employed the same approach as that used in kidney, ammonium sulfate precipitation at pH 3.1 followed by pepstatin and H-77 affinity chromatography or gel filtration, to purify to homogeneity a 45,500-MW totally active renin. The specific activity of the active truncated prorenin was 850 Goldblatt units (GU)/mg of protein for chorion-decidua renin and 946 GU/mg of protein for recombinant renin, both similar to that reported for pure human renal renin. Both forms of renin cross-reacted with an antibody generated against 44,00-MW pure human renal renin and with an antibody generated against a peptide identical to the carboxy-terminal one-third of the prosegment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression of rat renin in mammalian cells and its purification

Rat renin cDNA was transfected into COS-7 and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and expressed under the control of the Simian Virus 40 early promoter. Conditioned media of the transfected cells showed renin activity only after trypsin treatment, suggesting prorenin was secreted into the medium. From the trypsinized serum-free culture of the transfected CHO cells active renin was purified to homogeneity by a simple three-step procedure. The active renin had similar specific activity, molecular weight, Km, pH optimum, and isoelectric point compared to native renin. The amino-terminal sequence was the same as that deduced from the renin cDNA. This suggests that the recombinant rat renin is similar to kidney renin in many respects, and is easily obtained by the present procedures.

A plasma factor participates in the cryoactivation of plasma inactive renin

Plasma inactive renin (IR) can be cold activated (-4 degrees C). This process is called cryoactivation. The mechanism of cryoactivation is not yet elucidated. To investigate the mechanism of cryoactivation, we initially determine the isoelectric point (pI) of plasma active renin (AR) and IR by means of isoelectric focusing. The electrofocusing was performed in a LKB 8100-1 column containing a sucrose gradient and pH 3.5-10 ampholine under 4 degrees C. We found that the pI of AR was 5.0 and 3.9 whereas the pI of IR was 5.6. By using pH 4-6 ampholine, we separated IR from AR and added all fractions containing only IR to each of the electrofocusing column eluates (pH 4-6 ampholine). We found there was no increase in renin activity. If each fraction of electrofocusing eluate (after pH 4-6 ampholine) was cryoactivated, without adding the IR containing fractions, a small increase in angiotensin I (AI) generation was seen in the fractions of pH 4.9-5.1. However, when eluates from the electrofocusing column using pH 3.5-10 ampholine were added to fractions containing only inactive renin, and cryoactivation was subsequently performed, a peak increase in AI generation was found in the fractions corresponding to pH 4.9-5.1. Therefore, cryoactivation may expose certain enzyme(s) which have the pI of 4.9-5.1 and can activate inactive renin. We further found that these fractions could split the synthetic substrate S-2302. Such an activity may be produced by plasmin or related enzymes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evidence for heterogeneity of glycosylation of human renin obtained by using lectins

1. In this study, the carbohydrate structure of pure human renin was examined by using various lectins. 2. Pure renin could be separated into three forms by concanavalin A chromatography, a concanavalin A-unbound form, a loosely bound form and a tightly bound form, termed renins A, B and C, respectively. Renins A, B and C accounted for 3, 13 and 84%, respectively, of the purified renin. These forms were all present in individual human plasma and the relative proportions in plasma were 27 +/- 3, 33 +/- 4 and 39 +/- 5% (means +/- SEM) for renins A, B and C, respectively (n = 5). 3. Each form, electroblotted on to the nitrocellulose sheet after gel electrophoresis, was incubated with five peroxidase-labelled lectins, lentil lectin, erythroagglutinating phytohaemagglutinin, wheat-germ agglutinin, Ricinus communis agglutinin and peanut agglutinin. The protein was stained with 4-chloro-1-naphthol. 4. The staining pattern obtained with these lectins was significantly different among the three forms of human renin, confirming that they have different carbohydrate structures. Furthermore, the positive staining of human renin with erythroagglutinating phytohaemagglutinin, wheat-germ agglutinin and Ricinus communis agglutinin was in contrast with the lack of binding of rat renin to these lectins. 5. These results indicate the renal secretion of differently glycosylated multiple forms of human renin. The carbohydrate structure of human renin appears to differ from that of rat renin.

Biochemical and immunological differences between plasma inactive renin from normal and nephrectomized rats

Using immunological techniques, we have demonstrated that about half the trypsin-activatable renin in normal rat plasma is prorenin, while the other is not, and that inactive renin in nephrectomized rat plasma is not prorenin. In the present study, the trypsin-induced angiotensin I generating activity not related to prorenin from normal rat plasma disappeared after HPLC on G3000SW. HPLC analysis of trypsin-treated plasma showed the generation of active renin by trypsin for normal rat plasma, while it did not for nephrectomized rat plasma. These results indicate that trypsin treatment of crude plasma results in the generation of angiotensin I generating activity not due to prorenin, as well as activation of prorenin. HPLC on G3000SW is a useful tool for the determination of plasma prorenin.

Similarity between physicochemical properties of recombinant rat prorenin and native inactive renin

Rat prorenin was synthesized by Chinese-hamster ovary cells transfected with an expression vector containing rat preprorenin cDNA sequences, then purified by concanavalin A-Sepharose chromatography and h.p.l.c. on G3000SW. The molecular mass of purified prorenin was 46,000 Da, as determined by h.p.l.c. on G3000SW. Immunoblot analysis indicated that recombinant prorenin cross-reacted with anti-(mature renin) antibody and two kinds of antibodies recognizing the N-terminus and C-terminus of the prosegment of rat prorenin. Recombinant prorenin was bound to a Cibacron Blue-Sepharose column and eluted with 1.4 M-NaCl, but was not retained by an octapeptide renin inhibitor (H-77)-Sepharose column. Trypsin activation of prorenin increased the renin activity 110-fold, caused binding to an H-77-Sepharose column and nullified the reactivity to the above two kinds of anti-prosegment antibodies, findings indicating that the activation of prorenin with trypsin is due to the cleavage of the prosegment. Rat plasma inactive renin, partially purified by h.p.l.c. on G3000SW, had much the same physicochemical characteristics as the recombinant prorenin. These results provide evidence that rat plasma inactive renin is prorenin. Recombinant prorenin is a useful material for examining the physiological role of circulating prorenin.

Amino-terminal amino acid sequence and heterogeneity in glycosylation of rat renal renin

We isolated 7.4 mg of pure renin from 2 kg of rat kidneys using affinity chromatography on pepstatin-aminohexyl-Sepharose and an octapeptide renin inhibitor, H-77-Sepharose. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that renin consists of two polypeptide chains linked by a disulfide bond, one of Mr = 36,000 (heavy chain) and the other of Mr = 3,000 (light chain). The amino-terminal 10-amino acid sequences of the heavy and the light chains were identical to the sequences beginning at Ser72 and Asp355, respectively, of the amino acid sequence of preprorenin deduced from the renin cDNA sequence. Amino acid sequencing of the carboxyl-terminal peptide of the heavy chain, generated by digestion with lysyl endopeptidase, showed that the carboxyl-terminal residue of the heavy chain is Phe. Thus, the propeptide of prorenin is cleaved after Thr71, followed by removal of two amino acids, Arg353 and Asn354, the result being formation of the heavy and light chains. Thus, the site of cleavage of rat prorenin is after a nonbasic amino acid, in contrast to the cleavage of the propeptide after a pair of basic amino acids in mouse submaxillary renin, human renal renin, and many secretory proteins. Treatment of renin with neuraminidase or glycopeptidase F had no apparent effect on the charge heterogeneity of renin. Glycosylation probably does not contribute to charge heterogeneity.

Immunological evidence that kidney is primary source of circulating inactive prorenin in rats

To determine whether or not rat plasma inactive renin is prorenin, specific antibodies were raised against two 15-amino acid peptides, Pro-NH2 and Pro-COOH, which contained the NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal sequences, respectively, of the prosegment of rat prorenin. Inactive renin was measured after trypsin treatment. Immunoaffinity chromatography of normal rat plasma on anti-Pro-NH2 and anti-Pro-COOH immunoglobulin G (IgG)-Sepharose showed that about one-half the amount of inactive renin was prorenin, whereas the rest was neither prorenin nor renin. Thus trypsin treatment of the unfractionated plasma does not provide measurement of the concentration of prorenin. However, fractionation of plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography on G3,000SW columns followed by trypsin treatment led to the measurement of prorenin. Prorenin and active renin concentrations in the normal plasma of conscious rats were 44.3 +/- 5.8 and 13.3 +/- 1.4 (SE) ng ANG I.h-1.ml-1, respectively (n = 10). On the other hand, plasma inactive renin from rats at 24 h after bilateral nephrectomy bound to neither anti-Pro-NH2 nor anti-Pro-COOH IgG immunoaffinity columns, and the enzymatic activity after trypsin treatment was not inhibited by anti-mature renin IgG. These results demonstrate that inactive renin from nephrectomized rats was not prorenin. Thus the kidney is the primary source of circulating prorenin in rats.

Purification and amino-terminal sequence of rat kidney renin: evidence for a two-chain structure

Rat kidney renin was purified 29,000-fold using a nine-step procedure with a 4% recovery. N-terminal sequence analysis of the non-reduced renin revealed two sequences, indicating a two-chain structure. When compared with the amino acid sequence deduced from the rat preprorenin cDNA sequence, the N-termini of the A and B chains were residues 72 and 355, respectively, of preprorenin. The two-chain structure was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Rat kidney renin migrated as two broad bands of 35,000-36,000 and 37,000-38,000 Da under non-reducing conditions. Under reducing conditions, the size of both bands decreased by approximately 3000 Da and a band migrated at the buffer front (approximately 5000 Da). The site of cleavage between the two chains of rat renin is analogous to that of mouse submandibular gland renin. However, processing of the prosequence of rat prorenin differs from that of mouse and human prorenin, indicating that the mechanism of activation of prorenin is species-specific.

Isolation and characterization of recombinant human prorenin in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Recombinant human prorenin (rh-prorenin) was purified from supernatants of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line transfected with the cDNA for rh-prorenin by employing a simple two-step procedure which consisted of ammonium sulfate precipitation and immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody specific for the profragment of human prorenin. About 100-fold purification with 35% recovery was achieved after the two steps. Purified rh-prorenin migrated as a single protein band with apparent molecular weights of 46,000-47,000 and about 50,000 on SDS-PAGE and gel filtration (HPLC), respectively, although it consisted of multiple components (pI values, 5.6-6.4) that could be resolved by isoelectric focusing (IEF). The treatment of rh-prorenin with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase converted the rather broad protein band to a sharp band on SDS-PAGE and reduced the number of multiple pI peaks on IEF. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of both the purified rh-prorenin and rh-renin revealed Leu-Pro-Thr-Asp- and Leu-Thr-Leu-Gly-, respectively, which agreed with those predicted from the base sequences of their cDNA. These data suggested that microheterogeneity of rh-prorenin is due to the carbohydrate moiety, but not to the protein moiety. Purified rh-prorenin was almost inactive, but was cleaved at the carboxyl end of a dibasic pair Lys-2-Arg-1 by trypsin and converted to active renin. However, at the early stage during trypsin activation, new intermediate forms between rh-prorenin and rh-renin were formed, suggesting multiple activation steps of rh-prorenin in addition to the one step activation.

Recombinant human prorenin from CHO cells: expression and purification

The gene for human preprorenin was obtained from total RNA prepared from primary human chorion cells. An expression vector was constructed containing an SV40 early promoter, a human preprorenin cDNA, bovine growth hormone poly-A addition signal, and a dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) expression cassette. This vector was inserted into the DXB-11 Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line. The recombinant protein was exported by CHO cells into the tissue culture media. At harvest the prorenin levels ranged from approximately 1-5 mg/L. For prorenin isolation the cell culture supernatants were processed by filtration, concentration, dialysis, and batch extraction. Preparative-scale isolation of prorenin was accomplished using blue-dye chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography. The isolated prorenin yielded a single SDS-gel band with Mr approximately 40,000. The proprotein was characterized with respect to N-terminal sequence and N-linked sugar composition. Trypsin-activated renin prepared from the proprotein was characterized with respect to N-terminal sequence and pH-activity profile. Enzyme activity was measured with a newly developed fluorogenic peptide substrate containing the P6-P'3 sequence of human angiotensinogen.

Angiotensin I-forming angiotensinogenases in extrarenal vasculature and in the kidney

The intention of this study was to characterize angiotensin I-forming angiotensinogenases (AIFAs) in rat extrarenal arterial walls and to clarify whether these enzymes are also present in the kidney. A further aim was to identify AIFAs in human vasculature and to establish whether they are affected in essential hypertension. Sprague-Dawley rats and vascular sections of patients undergoing corrective surgery were studied. Enzyme kinetic assays were performed using angiotensin I radioimmunoassay and purified natural angiotensinogens. Fast protein liquid chromatography was employed for biochemical characterization. A series of AIFAs with various isoelectric points, molecular weights and pH optima was detected in rat extrarenal vascular and, with differing distributions of enzyme activities, in renal tissues. In extrarenal arteries the main form of renal renin was present with a relatively low activity only. AIFAs were also demonstrable in human extrarenal vasculature and behaved like plasma renin in essential hypertension. The results indicate the existence of an intrinsic human vascular RAS in extrarenal (and renal) arteries. Extrarenal arterial AIFAs are not generally stimulated in essential hypertensives, as previously postulated.

Production of rat renin fusion protein in Escherichia coli and the preparation of renin-specific antisera

Rat renin fused at the N-terminus with Sj26, a 26,000 Da glutathione S-transferase of Schistosoma japonicum, was expressed in Escherichia coli. The fusion protein was soluble and easily purified from crude bacterial lysates by affinity chromatography on immobilised glutathione. The fusion protein possessed no detectable renin activity. Antisera raised in rabbits against the fusion protein were specific for renin. These antisera did not bind soluble renin but bound immobilized renin. By immunoblotting, these antisera demonstrated rat renin to migrate on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as two broad bands of 33,000-34,000 and 35,000-37,000 Da. By immunocytochemistry of rat tissues, these antisera stained renin containing cells in the afferent arteriole of the glomerulus of the kidney, the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal and the corpus luteum of the ovary. However, apart from the afferent arteriole of the kidney, no immunoreactive renin was identified in blood vessels of the kidney, adrenal or ovary. These studies demonstrate that a recombinant renin fusion protein is a valuable alternative approach for the preparation of renin-specific antisera.

The purification and characterization of recombinant human renin expressed in the human kidney cell line 293

The cDNA encoding human preprorenin has been introduced into the adenovirus-transformed human kidney cell line 293. The recombinant 293 cells expressed and secreted prorenin; trypsin was used to activate the secreted prorenin to renin in vitro. The recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity by a single affinity chromatographic step. Using synthetic tetradecapeptide, the Km was 57.1 +/- 9.3 microM and the kcat was (7.48 +/- 1.57) x 10(3)/hr. Activation with trypsin resulted in a secondary cleavage between Arg53 and Leu54 generating a two chain form held together via a disulfide between Cys51 and Cys58. This secondary cleavage did not affect enzyme activity as determined by the ability of renin to degrade a synthetic tetradecapeptide substrate. Our paper demonstrates the potential for producing large quantities of renin from human kidney cells and also suggests that the use of trypsin, which has been widely used to convert prorenin to renin in vitro, causes a secondary cleavage in the renin peptide chain.

Purification of mouse Ren 2 prorenin produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Renin is produced from a larger, inactive precursor, prorenin, by endoproteolytic removal of the amino-terminal prosegment. In this study, we have transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells with the expression plasmid of mouse Ren 2 preprorenin, and have purified mouse Ren 2 prorenin from the incubation medium of these cells by DEAE-Toyopearl chromatography, Blue-Toyopearl chromatography, and isoelectric focusing. Prorenin thus purified has a molecular mass of 42 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE and an isoelectric point of 6.5. Amino-terminal sequencing has demonstrated that the purified prorenin has the amino-terminus predicted from the nucleotide sequence of mouse Ren 2 preprorenin cDNA.

Renin inhibitors

Since the early 1980s, an intensive effort has been focused on the development of orally effective and long-acting inhibitors of renin. During this time, in vitro potency has increased greatly, with several transition-state inhibitor designs yielding inhibitors with subnanomolar IC50 values. In the meantime, both the molecular weight and peptide character of the inhibitors has decreased as important binding elements have been focused into smaller and more stable structures. The resulting inhibitors have shown promising activities in several in vivo models and (in two cases) in man. Nevertheless, renin inhibitors reported to date have limited oral bioavailability and short duration of action, and improvements in both will be necessary for them to compete effectively with ACE inhibitors. Renin inhibitors which have entered clinical studies have at least one naturally occurring amino acid and three or more amide bonds. It is reasonable to expect that continued development will produce wholly nonpeptide inhibitors with still lower MW, and it may be these "second-generation" inhibitors which will succeed as therapeutic agents. Development of orally effective and long-acting inhibitors of renin will enable their long-term antihypertensive efficacy and possible advantages over ACE inhibitor to be investigated.

Substrate specificity of recombinant human renal renin: effect of histidine in the P2 subsite on pH dependence

Steady-state kinetic analysis of human renin demonstrates the histidine proximal to the substrate scissile peptide bond contributes to the unique specificity and pH dependence of this aspartyl protease. Recombinant human renal renin purified from mammalian cell culture appears to be indistinguishable from renin isolated from human kidney with respect to specific activity (1000 Goldblatt units/mg). Recombinant renin contains carbohydrate covalently attached to asparagines at positions 5 and 75 (renin numbering) and disulfide linkages at Cys-51/Cys-58, Cys-217/Cys-221, and Cys-259/Cys-296. Renin pH dependence was evaluated between pH 4.0 and 8.0 by using a synthetic substrate identical with the amino terminus of porcine angiotensinogen (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu*Leu-Val-Tyr-Ser, where the asterisk indicates the scissile peptide bond and the proximal histidine is in italics) and an analogous tetradecapeptide where the proximal histidine was substituted with glutamine. Comparison of the pH profiles shows the catalytic efficiency (V/Km) and maximal velocity (V) of renin are greater above pH 6.5 with the substrate containing histidine proximal to the scissile peptide bond, but below pH 5.0 these parameters are greater with the glutamine substrate analogue. Solvent isotope effects show that proton transfer contributes to the rate-limiting step in catalysis with both substrates and that the proximal histidine does not serve as a base in the catalytic mechanism. Molecular modeling indicates the substrate histidine could hydrogen bond to Asp-226 of the enzyme (renin numbering), thus perturbing the ionization of the catalytic aspartyl groups (Asp-38 and Asp-226).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Conversion to renin of exogenously administered recombinant human prorenin in liver and kidney of monkeys

Highly purified recombinant human prorenin, labeled with 125I (125I-prorenin), was intravenously given to monkeys to examine the possible in vivo conversion of this prorenin to renin. 125I-prorenin and 125I-renin were detected using specific anti-prorenin prosegment antibody and anti-renin antibody, respectively. The plasma disappearance of immunoreactive 125I-prorenin in marmosets showed two exponential components with a half-life of 10.4 +/- 0.2 min for the rapid component and 165.7 +/- 12.6 min for the slow component. Fifteen minutes after the injection of 125I-prorenin, 38.7 +/- 2.8 and 3.9 +/- 0.5% of the administered dose accumulated in the liver and kidney, respectively. Less than 1% of the dose injected distributed in the other organs, including the brain, submandibular gland, lung, heart, aorta, adrenal gland, spleen, uterus, ovary, and testis. Thus the labeled prorenin was predominantly taken up by the liver and kidney. Analysis of liver and kidney extracts and plasma, by both gel permeation high-performance liquid chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, demonstrated that 125I-prorenin (Mr = 46,000) taken up by the liver and kidney was significantly converted to 125I-renin (Mr = 42,000), whereas only a negligible amount of 125I-renin (Mr = 42,000) was present in the plasma. Although there seems to be no activation of prorenin in the blood circulation, prorenin does seem to be activated by the liver and kidney.

Pure human inactive renin. Evidence that native inactive renin is prorenin

To clarify contradicting observations on the identity of inactive renin and prorenin, inactive renin was completely purified from native human chorion laeve and the culture medium of human chorion cells. A 720,000-fold purification with 14% recovery was achieved from chorion laeve in 6 steps, including immunoaffinity chromatography on a monoclonal antibody to human renin coupled to Protein A-Sepharose CL-4B. A 3,100-fold purification with 40% recovery was achieved from chorion culture medium in 4 steps, including immunoaffinity chromatography. Inactive renin purified from the two different sources migrated as a single protein band with the same molecular weight of 47,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and consisted of multiple components that could be resolved by isoelectric focusing. Both had the same pI values which shifted downward upon activation by trypsin; however, relative peak heights were different between the two preparations. The purified inactive renin from chorion laeve was completely inactive and did not bind to pepstatin-aminohexyl-Sepharose; however, that from chorion culture medium was partially active and completely bound to the pepstatin gel, indicating that each molecule is partially activated. Trypsin-activated inactive renins from both sources were identical with human renal renin in terms of pH optimum and Km. Specific activities of trypsin-activated inactive renin from chorion laeve and chorion culture medium were 529 Goldblatt units/mg of protein and 449 Goldblatt units/mg of protein, respectively. Amino acid sequence analysis of both of the purified inactive renin preparations demonstrated a leucine residue at the amino terminus. The sequence of 11 additional amino acids was identical in both and agreed with that predicted from the base sequence of the renin gene. These findings indicate that preprorenin is converted to prorenin following removal of a 23-amino acid signal peptide and that the native inactive renin, whose amino acid sequence commences with Leu-Pro-Thr..., is prorenin.

Modification of glycosylation of renin in sodium-depleted and captopril-treated rats

Concanavalin A (con A) chromatography of rat plasma revealed the presence of three differently glycosylated forms of renin, including the con A unbound form (renin C), the loosely bound form (renin A), and the tightly bound form (renin B). Rat renal cortical slices in vitro secreted all these forms. They had a different half-life in the plasma after ligation of both renal artery and vein (half-life of 21 +/- 1, 14 +/- 3, and 35 +/- 4 min for renin A, B, and C, respectively). Thus differently glycosylated forms of renin are released from the kidney into the blood circulation and disappear, with a different half-life. Rats were sodium-depleted and captopril-treated (40-60 mg.kg-1.day-1) for 2 wk, and the effects of these treatments on relative proportions of renin A, B, and C were investigated. These treatments elevated plasma renin concentration approximately 60-fold (from 24 +/- 3 to 1,406 +/- 128 ng angiotensin I.h-1.ml-1; P less than 0.01), in association with an increase in the relative percent of renin C in the plasma from 22 +/- 2 to 39 +/- 3% (P less than 0.01). Moreover, the relative proportion of renin C released from the renal cortical slices was significantly higher in the treated than in the control rats (42 +/- 9 vs. 16 +/- 3% of secreted renin, respectively; P less than 0.02). These results show that the predominant release of renin C, with the longest half-life (35 min) in the plasma, contributes to the increased plasma renin concentration in sodium-depleted and captopril-treated rats.

Human decidua is a major source of renin

Plasma prorenin levels are elevated in normal pregnant women. Current evidence suggests renin production by tissues of the uteroplacental unit contribute to this elevation. The purpose of this investigation was to define the source of renin biosynthesis within the human uteroplacental unit and to characterize the renin produced. RNA extraction and Northern blot analysis consistently demonstrated renin mRNA expression in uterine lining both in the pregnant (decidua) and nonpregnant states (endometrium) and in fetal chorion laeve, which is inseparable from the decidua. In contrast, renin mRNA expression was not detected in basal plate and intertwin chorion (which is separate from decidua), amnion, myometrium, or placental villi. The total renin content in decidual homogenates was two- to threefold greater than in endometrial homogenates, and cultured human decidual cells produced significantly more total renin than cultured human endometrial cells, suggesting that pregnancy enhanced renin production by the cells lining the uterus. Immunoblot analysis and [3H]leucine incorporation identified 47,000-mol wt prorenin as the major form of renin produced by cultured human decidual cells. These studies indicate that maternal decidua is the major source of prorenin in the uteroplacental unit.

Structure and function of renin

Purification and determination of the primary structure of renin laid the foundation for determining the complete structure and function. Identification of the functional groups in the active site and demonstration of the sequence homology of renin and aspartyl proteins have been the most important steps to date in characterizing the general properties of renin. The demonstration of a long subsite structure in the active site of renin and other aspartyl proteases was another important step. The lack of immuno-crossreactivity and substrate specificity between human and non-primate renin suggests that the active site of human renin is unique. This has been clearly demonstrated by the synthesis of an inhibitor peptide specific for human renin.

Importance of glycosylation for hepatic clearance of renal renin

Three differently glycosylated forms of renin (renin A, B-1, and B-2) were highly purified from rat kidneys by pepstatin-aminohexyl-Sepharose affinity chromatography and by serial lectin affinity chromatography on concanavalin A (con A) and lentil lectin-Sepharose, and the role of glycosylation of renin was investigated. Renin A and renin B-1 were loosely and tightly bound to con A, respectively, but did not bind to lentil lectin. Renin B-2 bound to both con A and lentil lectin. These three forms of renin were all similar in their physicochemical characteristics, including molecular weight, isoelectric point, specific activity, Km, optimum pH, and antigenicity. Each form of renin, labeled with 125I and given intravenously to anesthetized rats, disappeared from the circulation at different rates (metabolic clearance rates of 5.05 +/- 1.02, 17.1 +/- 2.5, and 36.0 +/- 4.1 ml.min-1.kg-1 for renins A, B-1, and B-2, respectively). Labeled renin A distributed to a similar extent in the liver and kidney (21.2 +/- 0.2 and 15.2 +/- 0.8% of the injected dose, respectively), whereas renins B-1 and B-2 were distributed predominantly in the liver (56.3 +/- 1.2 and 72.3 +/- 3.7% of the injected dose, respectively) and to a lesser extent in the kidney (4.3 +/- 0.3 and 2.1 +/- 0.2%, respectively). Deglycosylation of renin B-1 with endoglycosidase F resulted in no loss of its enzymatic activity or antigenicity but greatly reduced the metabolic clearance rate to 18% (from 17.1 +/- 2.5 to 3.09 +/- 0.17 ml.min-1.kg-1). Deglycosylation of renin B-1 greatly decreased its uptake by the liver (from 56.3 +/- 1.2 to 3.3 +/- 0.2%) and increased its uptake by the kidney (from 4.3 +/- 0.3 to 23.9 +/- 0.9%). These studies indicate the importance of glycosylation of renin for its hepatic uptake and metabolic clearance rate.

Multiple renin forms in the adrenal gland

Renin heterogeneity has been described in rat kidney and plasma. In this study, we used the isoelectric focusing method to 1) characterize the adrenal renin forms in control rats, in rats on low- and high-Na diets, and in nephrectomized rats; and 2) examine their resemblance with plasma renin. Active renin (AR) and inactive trypsin-activatable renin (IR) were measured in adrenal homogenates and plasma. Aliquots were subjected to isoelectric focusing gels. Activation with trypsin (5 mg/ml) was performed before or after isoelectric focusing. Results showed that adrenal glands contained AR and IR. The content of adrenal AR increased significantly only in rats fed a low-Na diet. Following anesthesia, nephrectomy, or high-Na intake, the content of adrenal AR and IR was not significantly changed. In plasma, an inverse relationship between AR and IR was found. Adrenal glands contained six forms of AR focusing at the same pH as those of plasma AR but in different proportions. After activation of IR in adrenal glands, two additional renin forms focusing at pH 6.4 and 6.1 were found, whereas after activation of plasma IR, two peaks focusing at pH 5.9 and 4.8 were significantly enhanced. Adrenal AR forms were modified by alterations of salt and water balance differently than plasma AR. These results support the hypotheses of an endogenous production of renin forms by the adrenal gland.

Evidence for two cellular pathways of renin secretion by the mouse submandibular gland

The pathway of renin secretion has been defined in the mouse submandibular gland (SMG). Renin is first synthesized as a prorenin, rapidly cleaved to a one-chain renin, and then very slowly processed to a two-chain form which is stored in mature granules. In pulse-labeling experiments of minced SMG, the swift appearance in the culture medium of radiolabeled one-chain renin, before granule formation, suggested that this form was secreted by a constitutive pathway independent of the granules, possibly directly from the Golgi. Supporting this hypothesis, phenylephrine, which stimulates the secretion of granules, causes a 4-fold increase in the two-chain renin, with little or no effect on the secretion of one-chain renin. Confirming evidence for the existence of the constitutive pathway was provided by the action of monensin, an ionophore that inhibits transport through the Golgi. Monensin inhibited the appearance of radiolabeled newly synthesized renin in the granules and medium while causing accumulation of the newly synthesized one-chain renin in the microsomes. Analysis of secreted renin by Western blot showed that monensin selectively inhibited the secretion of one-chain renin while not affecting the secretion of the stored two-chain renin. Taken together, our data suggest that one-chain renin is primarily secreted soon after synthesis by a pathway that bypasses the granules, while two-chain renin is secreted predominantly from the granules.

Semi-preparative purification of recombinant human renin and prorenin

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, transfected with a vector containing cDNA coding for preprorenin, have been shown to secrete authentic prorenin into the culture supernatant. Purification of the expressed prorenin and purification of active renin, generated by solid-phase trypsin treatment of the conditioned media, have been achieved by conventional chromatographic methods. Scale-up of the initial steps of these procedures is described, including the use of radial-flow columns and automation with fast protein liquid chromatography valves and pumps. This semi-preparative scheme has allowed hundreds of milligrams of both proteins to be isolated.

Characterization of recombinant human prorenin and renin

A cell line that secretes substantial quantities of recombinant human prorenin was prepared by transfecting Chinese hamster ovary cells with a gene encoding preprorenin. The prorenin was purified to homogeneity and was found to have a single amino terminus, reflecting cleavage after a typical 23 amino acid signal sequence. The purified inactive prorenin was not a substrate for active renin and was not capable of self-activation. Prorenin could be converted to renin by addition of exogenous protease, and deglycosylation of the prorenin did not alter the sensitivity to protease activation. The enzymatic activity of deglycosylated renin was kinetically identical to that of the native protein. Multimilligram quantities of recombinant human renin and prorenin were purified, providing suitable material for studies directed toward greater understanding of the function of these proteins and for structural studies such as x-ray diffraction for use in design of renin inhibitors.

Immunoaffinity purification of human prorenin produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells

A simple immunoaffinity column chromatographic procedure is described whereby recombinant human prorenin secreted from Chinese hamster ovary cells may be isolated in a high state of purity from serum-free culture medium. Prorenin thus purified has been characterized by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by partial sequence analysis which has revealed the expected N-terminal sequence. Trypsin treatment gives rise to renin, and reversible acid activation has also been demonstrated for the recombinant zymogen.