Renin Activity

RAAS System

The renin–angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a central role in the regulation of blood pressure and electrolyte homoeostasis.

At the first and rate-limiting step of the RAAS cascade, renin, a highly specific aspartyl protease, cleaves angiotensinogen, produced in the liver, to yield angiotensin, which is further converted into angiotensin II by ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme).

Angiotensin II constricts blood vessels leading to increased blood pressure. It also increases the secretion of ADH and aldosterone, and stimulates the hypothalamus to activate the thirst reflex.

Since an overactive renin-angiotensin system leads to hypertension, Renin is an attractive target for the treatment of this disease.

Our Sensolyte® Renin assay kits allow monitoring the proteolytic activity of the enzyme and screening for inhibitors.