Plasmin can activate plasma prorenin but is not required for the alkaline phase of acid activation

1. Plasma prorenin is an inactive form of renin that is converted into active renin at alkaline pH in previously acidified plasma; this conversion of prorenin into renin is mediated by Hageman factor-dependent activation of prekallikrein, which, in turn, leads to prorenin activation. 2. Since plasma kallikrein can activate plasminogen, the present studies were designed to evaluate whether alkaline-phase activation of prorenin by plasma kallikrein is mediated via plasminogen activation. 3. We demonstrated that plaminogen is present in acid-treated plasma in sufficient quantity to convert prorenin into renin after activation by streptokinase. 4. However, alkaline-phase activation was completely normal in plasminogen-free plasma. 5. Therefore alkaline-phase activation of plasma prorenin is mediated by plasma kallikrein but is not dependent on kallikrein activation of plasminogen.