Renin-1, also known as Ren-1, Angiotensinogenase and Kidney renin, is a member of the peptidase A1 family. Renin-1 is synthesized by the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney in response to decreased blood pressure and sodium concentration. androgen and thyroid hormones influence levels of Renin-1 in mouse submandibular gland (SMG) primarily by regulating the amount of Renin-1 mRNA available for translation. Renin-1 is a highly specific endopeptidase, whose only known function is to generate angiotensin I from angiotensinogen in the plasma, initiating a cascade of reactions that produce an elevation of blood pressure and increased sodium retention by the kidney. It is expressed at relatively low levels in mouse SMG and kidney. Ren-2 is expressed at high levels in the mouse SMG and at very low levels, if at all, in the kidney. Ren-1 and Ren-2 are closely linked on mouse chromosome 1, show extensive homology in coding and noncoding regions and provide a model for studying the regulation of gene expression.
