Genetic manipulation of the renin-angiotensin system in the kidney

Over the past 5 years, genetic manipulation has revolutionized the way we examine physiological processes by providing a targeted specificity that was not possible previously. The application of transgenesis and gene targeting has been applied to numerous physiological pathways; and both will remain important tools as we reach the completion of the human genome project and begin to assess the function of newly identified genes. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been the target of numerous transgenic and gene targeting studies designed to help uncover its role in cardiovascular regulation and organ development. Each gene of the system has now been both over-expressed and knocked out. It will be discussed as to how new advances in tissue-specific gene targeting by both over-expression and gene ablation can be used as powerful tools to dissect the role of the RAS in individual tissues.