Differential expression of the murine and rat renin genes in peripheral subcutaneous tissue

We have previously identified peripheral subcutaneous tissue as a bonafide site of primary renin expression in the mouse fetus by virtue of oncogene mediated tumorigenesis in transgenic mice. In this report we demonstrate that the murine renin genes are differentially expressed in this tissue. Through selective breeding and differential primer extension we demonstrate that Ren-1d and Ren-1c transcripts were several fold more abundant than Ren-2. Renin transcripts were also identified in fetal subcutaneous tissues of Spontaneously Hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. We conclude from these studies that expression of renin during fetal development may be widespread in rodents with its temporal and spatial localization consistent with a role in fetal development.