Enzymes of the kallikrein-kinin system in rainbow trout

Evidence for a kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) in fish is incomplete. In the present study, components of the KKS were identified in rainbow trout. Tissues were assayed for kallikrein-like esterolytic activity using three synthetic kallikrein substrates (TAME, VGAN, and PPAN), and the presence of kallikrein substrate (kininogen) in trout plasma was estimated by bradykinin (BK) radioimmunoassay of plasma activated with trypsin (T). Formation of pressor-depressor substances in vivo by porcine glandular kallikrein (GK) and T was measured after intra-arterial injection into unanesthetized trout. Gill and kidney contained kallikrein activity (TAME and VGAN assays); little activity was observed with PPAN. Aprotinin inhibited gill activity (TAME assay). T liberated 42 +/- 3 (SE) ng (n = 10) of immunoreactive BK per milliliter of plasma. Injection of GK in vivo reduced plasma kininogen levels for over 24 h. GK produced pressor responses only in fish pretreated with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril. This effect was mediated partly through stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors. T produced slight pressor responses that were captopril insensitive. These results show that trout possess elements of the KKS system including kallikrein-like enzymatic activity, kininogen, receptor-mediated vascular sensitivity to kallikrein products, and kininolytic activity consistent with ACE (kininase II).