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ACTIVATION OF PLASMA PREKALLIKREIN AND INACTIVE RENIN BY PUFF ADDER VENOM
Author(s) -
Morris Brian J.,
Lawrence Christopher H.,
Catanzaro Daniel F.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1681.1980.tb00112.x
Subject(s) - kallikrein , venom , plasmin , prekallikrein , chemistry , renin–angiotensin system , incubation , plasma renin activity , metalloproteinase , biochemistry , enzyme , endocrinology , medicine , biology , blood pressure
SUMMARY The activation of inactive renin during incubation of human plasma with puff adder venom at pH 7 4 was found to be a complex process. Gel nitration on Sephacryl S‐200 indicated that the venom contains a major peak of caseinolytic and renin‐activating activity of low molecular weight. This enzyme was a metalloproteinase. During incubation with plasma the metalloproteinase formed a complex with α 2 ‐macroglobulin and retained caseinolytic and renin‐activating activity. Venom metalloproteinase activated prekallikrein, but not plasmin, and plasma kallikrein may account for at least part of the activation of inactive renin observed.