REN Mouse
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Renin, also known as REN or angiotensinogenase, is a circulating enzyme that plays a crucial role in the body’s renin-angiotensin system (RAS). This system is essential for regulating blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. The recombinant form of renin from mice is often used in research to study its functions and potential therapeutic applications.
The gene encoding renin is localized on mouse chromosome 1. In recombinant studies, renin is typically expressed in HEK 293 cells, which are human embryonic kidney cells. This expression system is chosen because it allows for proper folding and post-translational modifications of the protein, ensuring that the recombinant renin closely mimics the natural enzyme .
Renin is a protease enzyme with a calculated molecular weight of approximately 43.2 kDa. However, due to glycosylation, the observed molecular weight can range between 45-55 kDa when analyzed by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. The enzyme is often tagged with a 6-His tag at the C-terminus to facilitate purification .
Renin’s primary function is to activate the renin-angiotensin system by cleaving angiotensinogen, a protein produced by the liver, to yield angiotensin I. Angiotensin I is then converted into angiotensin II by the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), primarily within the capillaries of the lungs. Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor that increases blood pressure and stimulates the release of aldosterone, which promotes sodium retention by the kidneys .
Renin plays an essential role in the elevation of arterial blood pressure and increased sodium retention by the kidney. It is a key regulator of blood pressure and electrolyte balance, making it a critical target for antihypertensive therapies. Dysregulation of renin activity can lead to conditions such as hypertension and congestive heart failure .
Recombinant mouse renin is widely used in research to study the mechanisms of blood pressure regulation and to develop new treatments for hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. It is also used in the development of renin inhibitors, which are a class of antihypertensive drugs that directly inhibit the activity of renin .
