Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for human renin precursor

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Human renin is a crucial enzyme in the renin-angiotensin system, regulating blood pressure.
• Understanding its primary structure is essential for studying its function and developing related therapeutics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To deduce the primary structure of the human renin precursor from its complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence.
• To compare the human renin sequence with other known renins and related enzymes.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a human kidney cDNA library using the Okayama and Berg vector/primer method.
• Screening the library for human renin sequences via hybridization with mouse renin cDNA.
• Sequence analysis of isolated recombinant plasmids containing human renin cDNA inserts.

Main Results:

• Identified and sequenced human renin precursor cDNA, predicting a 406-amino acid protein.
• The precursor contains a 20-amino acid pre-segment and a 46-amino acid pro-segment.
• High sequence homology observed between human and mouse renins.
• Similarities found between human renin and known aspartyl proteinases suggest a conserved tertiary structure.

Conclusions:

• The primary structure of human renin precursor has been elucidated.
• The findings provide insights into renin's molecular structure and evolutionary relationships.
• The predicted structure supports potential similarities in tertiary structure with other aspartyl proteinases.