Angiotensin II is an important mediator of skeletal muscle angiogenesis induced by electrical stimulation. Previous studies have shown that substitution of BN chromosome 13 as well as introgression of a 2.6 Mbp piece of BN chromosome 13 entirely downstream of the renin gene into the Dahl salt-sensitive (SS/Mcwi) rat restores renin levels and the angiogenic response to electrical stimulation (estim). In this study we explored the effects of substituting smaller pieces of the BN chromosome 13 located near the renin gene and tested them for restoration of the angiogenesis phenotype. Two new congenic lines were produced (D: 0.5 Mbp, G: 2.0 Mbp) that split the 2.6 Mbp BN candidate region into a proximal (D) and distal (G) portion. Electrical stimulators were implanted to intermittently stimulate the peroneal nerve in one hind limb, contracting the Tibialis Anterior (TA) and Extensor Digitorum Longus (EDL) muscles for 8 hours/day for 7 days. Line D restored the angiogenic response while line G did not. These data support the concept of trans regulation of renin by elements captured in line D. Pathway analysis provided by the STRING program indicated a candidate renin regulatory gene in this region. Supported by NIH Heart Lung & Blood Institute 082798.