Native form of renin in the kidney

Renin (EC 3.4.99.19) has been observed to exist in a high molecular weight (Mr greater than 50,000) and a low molecular weight from (Mr approximately 42,000) in various tissues. Little is known concerning the origin and function of the high molecular weight form of renin and its relationship to low molecular weight renin. We have found that the high molecular weight form of renin in the kidney was converted to the low molecular weight form during the extraction process. The conversion is apparenly catalyzed by an agent(s) which requires free sulfhydryl groups since blockers of sulfhydryl groups completely suppress the conversion. This conversion could not be prevented by various specific inhibitors of serine proteases nor by the metal chelator EDTA. By the use of Na-tetrathionate it was possible to preserve the renin activity of hog kidney exclusively in the high molecular weight form. Similarly, using N-ethylmaleimide it was shown that a similar high molecular weight form of renin is the exclusive form present in rat kidney. These results suggest that the high molecular weight form of renin is the native form stored in the kidney and that it is converted by an enzyme or agent requiring sulfhydryl groups to the circulating (low molecular weight) form when it is secreted into blood. Renin activity was increased to approximately 155% of the original level upon conversion.