Pure Human Renin Research Articles

On the renin-like activity of candida proteinases and activation of blood coagulation in vitro

Several secretory acid proteinases from C. albicans and C. tropicalis as well as membrane extracts from two strains of C. albicans were compared for their renin-like activity and for their ability to activate blood coagulation. The highest renin-like activity as measured fluorometrically, was found in the membrane extract of C. albicans 113, it accounted for approximately a tenth of the activity of pure human renin. Activation of blood coagulation by acid Candida proteinases is due to the trypsinogen kinase effect, it was detected preferentially at the level of factor X (Stuart-Prower). Conversion of factor X at rates sufficiently rapid to be of biological significance was effected by several proteinases tested. The highest activity was found in the membrane extract of C. albicans CBS-2730 and involves a proteinase of the serine type. Both renin-like activity and conversion of factor X are examples of limited proteolysis; they are discussed with respect to strain-specific pathogenicity in opportunistic yeasts.

A novel purification method of human renin

Human renal renin was isolated from a partially purified preparation, Haas' preparation step 5 material, with a remarkably high yield of 28% by a newly developed method. This method consisted of only four steps including affinity chromatography on pepstatin-aminohexyl-agarose, chromatofocusing, gel filtration and DEAE-chromatography after the initial extraction and concentration. This method enabled us to obtain pure human renin without another affinity column used by other investigators. Pure human renin had a molecular weight of 40, 000 daltons as estimated by gel filtration and sodiumdodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The pI of purified renin was 5.6.

Localization of renin in trophoblasts in human chorion laeve at term pregnancy.

It is known that renin is present in fetal membranes, with the highest concentration in the chorion laeve (reflected chorion). The purpose of this study was to identify and localize renin in human chorion laeve. Indirect immunofluorescent analysis, using antiserum against pure human kidney renin, revealed a single layer of cells in the chorion with strongly positive fluorescence. The presence of atrophic villi in this layer together with other morphological evidence indicate that the cells which are positive for renin are cytotrophoblasts. Isolated cells were prepared from the chorion by collagenase digestion, followed by filtration and density gradient centrifugation on Percoll. The isolated cells also showed a positive reaction with the immunofluorescent technique. Control experiments with nonimmune serum did not show fluorescent cells. Biochemical analysis using RIA of angiotensin I generated from sheep substrate indicated that most of the renin activity in the isolated cells was present as inactive renin (activated by trypsin). The presence of renin in trophoblastic cells may be of significance in local cardiovascular regulation, events associated with parturition, or pathophysiological manifestations of trophoblastic disease.

Pure human renin. Identification and characterization and of two major molecular weight forms.

Human renal renin was purified from normal kidney by either of two protocols which combined sequential DEAE-cellulose chromatography, pepstatin affinity chromatography, gel filtration, and a final step of affinity chromatography using either the synthetic octapeptide renin inhibitor (D-Leu6] or antirenin immunoglobulin as ligand. An approximate 500,000-fold purification and a yield of 1 mg of protein or 7% enzymatic activity from 10 kg were obtained by either method. Maximum specific activity was 1170 Goldblatt units/mg. Amino acid composition and kinetic properties were determined. Using purified angiotensinogen substrate, optimum pH was 5.5-6.0 and the Km was 1.54 X 10(-6) M. Two major forms of renin possessing similar enzymatic and immunologic properties, but differing in apparent molecular size and charge were purified and characterized. One form, the major form obtained after antibody affinity chromatography, had an apparent molecular size of 50 kilodaltons by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis and migrated more slowly (RF = 0.32) on polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis at pH 7.8. The other form had an apparent molecular size of 39 kilodaltons and migrated more rapidly (RF = 0.76) on polyacrylamide disc gels. This smaller form predominated in protocols which allowed the persistent presence of acid protease activity throughout purification. Moreover, renin molecular size was demonstrated to change from 50 to 40 kilodaltons in the presence of this protease, which was subsequently isolated from the penultimate step of renin purification and tentatively identified as a renal cathepsin D. These findings help reconcile certain disparate characteristics for pure human renin obtained by others, explain the marked instability of the human enzyme, and suggest that the apparent molecular size of human renin is somewhat larger than had been previously reported.

DIRECT RADIOIMMUNOASSAY OF HUMAN RENIN

Antibodies were raised in rabbit against pure human renin. The antisera obtained are highly specific for human renin versus hog, dog and rat renin. They do not cross-react with acid proteases such as pepsin and human cathepsin D. A direct radioimunoassay is described for human renin in plasma and kidney extracts. 30 to 50 pg of enzyme (2.5 to 4 x 10(-5) Goldblatt units) are detected.

Purification of human renin

Human renin was purified 2,800-fold from a partially purified preparation to an electrophoretically homogeneous state by a series of three different types of affinity chromatography and two additional conventional chromatographic steps at a yield of 9.7%. This amounts to a 420,000-fold purification from a crude kidney extract. This pure human renin preparation has a specific activity of 830 Goldblatt unit/mg and is stable at pH 6.2 and 4°C at least for 3 weeks.