Expression and regulation of the renin gene

Elucidating the expression and regulation of the renin gene has been the focus of intense investigation because of its participation in the renin-angiotensin system and its links to hypertension. Since the cloning of the first complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding mouse submandibular gland renin over a decade ago, a great deal of progress has been made toward understanding the expression and regulation of renin in a number of species. These include the isolation of cDNA and genomic clones for interspecific renin genes, the demonstration of primary expression in tissues where only renin activity data were previously reported, and, more recently, the development of tools to examine specifically the mechanisms of renin transcription and regulation, and to define the role played by the renin-angiotensin system in the pathogenesis of hypertension.