Today's Human Body Molecule #14: Renin

in STEMGeeks4 years ago

Picture Steemit Todays Molecule.jpg

37kDa (340 amino acids)

Renin, also known as angiotensinogenase is an aspartic protease enzyme which cleaves angiotensinogen and yields the decapeptide angiotensin I. Pro-renin has also a receptor so it may be considered a hormone too. Renin is secreted by the juxtaglomerular cells, a specialized smooth muscle cell located in the wall the afferent arterioles.

3 stimuli promote its secretion:

  • Decreased blood pressure sensed by the walls of the afferent arterioles
  • Decreased sodium chloride load at the level of the macula densa
  • Sympathetic nervous system activity through β1 adrenergic receptors

Picture Molecule Renin 800 460.png

Picture obtained from the public domain. Courtesy link
References
Wikipedia contributors. "Renin". Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed February 16, 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renin

Previous Posts in this Series

Today's Human Body Molecule #1: Urea
Today's Human Body Molecule #2: Creatinine
Today's Human Body Molecule #3: Carbon dioxide
Today's Human Body Molecule #4: Glucose
Today's Human Body Molecule #5: Adrenaline
Today's Human Body Molecule #6: Noradrenaline
Today's Human Body Molecule #7: Dopamine
Today's Human Body Molecule #8: Bicarbonate
Today's Human Body Molecule #9: Adenosine
Today's Human Body Molecule #10: Acetylcholine
Today's Human Body Molecule #11: Serotonin
Today's Human Body Molecule #12: Aldosterone
Today's Human Body Molecule #13: Angiotensin II