Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.4.15.1 (ACE)
18,300 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

All four components of the kallikrein-kinin system--kininogens, tissue kallikreins, kinins, and kininases--have been found in human male genital secretions. Kinins are continuously released from seminal plasma kininogens through limited proteolysis by kininogenases like tissue kallikrein from prostate and sperm acrosin. Kinins are the terminal effectors of the kallikrein-kinin system and increase sperm motility and sperm metabolism at nanomolar concentrations. Recent investigations indicate that these effects are possibly mediated by a specific sperm membrane integrated bradykinin receptor, subtype B2. The two major kininase that are present in seminal plasma are kininase II and neutral metallo-endopeptidase. Kininase II, which is identical with angiotensin-converting enzyme, is also involved in the renin-angiotensin system as it converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II and thus is the connecting enzyme of both systems. Apart from the observed effects of kinins on sperm motility, the kallikrein-kinin system is thought to be involved in the regulation of spermatogenic functions of the testis: in the rat, kallikrein activates Sertoli cell function, increases the relative number of spermatocytes and the [3H] thymidine incorporation of testicular tissue, enhances glucose-intake, and increases testicular blood flow. Clinical trials showed that systemic administration of kallikrein may be particularly useful for treatment of infertile men suffering from asthenozoospermia and/or oligozoospermia. During kallikrein therapy, the number of spermatozoa and both quantitative and qualitative sperm motility increased, and a significant improvement of the conception rate was achieved. An increased sperm number was also observed after application of the specific kininase II inhibitor captopril.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Possible effects of the kallikrein-kinin system on male reproductive functions. 131 46

Primary hypertension is associated with a lack in renal kallikrein activity which might be one of the reasons for the blood pressure elevation. Some smaller and partially uncontrolled studies suggested that an oral substitution of glandular kallikrein lowers blood pressure by a kinin-mediated vasodilation and increased natriuresis. To test this hypothesis we treated in two studies over 100 patients with untreated mild to moderate primary hypertension (WHO I-II) for 5 resp. 12 weeks in a double blind randomized and placebo controlled manner with 1800 U glandular kallikrein orally. Blood pressure measurements were performed according to the two study designs after 3 and 5 resp. 8 and 12 weeks of treatment sphymomanometrically in the day time course. No significant changes in blood pressure by kallikrein treatment could be observed at any time. Neither renal kallikrein excretion, renin and ACE-activity nor blood glucose concentration in diabetics or non-diabetics was changed. Thus, we could undoubtedly demonstrate that oral applied glandular kallikrein has no effect on primary hypertension.
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PMID:Lack of oral kallikrein in lowering systemic blood pressure in primary hypertension. 146 64

Vasoactive hormones acting as endocrine, neuroendocrine, or local hormonal systems (intracrine, autocrine, and paracrine) are an important component of the many factors that regulate blood pressure. Hypertension may be the result of an alteration in the balance between vasodepressor and vasopressor hormonal systems. Changes in this balance could be due to genetic factors such as mutations in one of the genes of the vasoactive system or environmental factors that alter the synthesis and release of one or more vasoactive hormones. Endocrine and neuroendocrine vasopressor hormonal systems, such as the renin-angiotensin system and catecholamines, play a well-established and important role in the regulation of blood pressure and the pathogenesis of some secondary forms of hypertension. The blockade of such systems has already resulted in effective antihypertensive treatment. The role of local hormonal systems is less well established; however, recent evidence suggests they also play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and the pathogenesis of hypertension. Some vasopressor hormonal systems, such as the renin-angiotensin system, can act as both endocrine or local hormonal systems. Work using transgenic rats harboring the mouse Ren-2 gene has conclusively demonstrated that the renin-angiotensin system, acting as a local hormonal system, has the capability to cause severe hypertension. Whether this model of experimental hypertension mimics any type of human hypertension is not known. Vasodepressor hormones such as kinins, prostaglandins, and endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) act mainly as local hormonal systems, with the notable exception of atrial natriuretic factor, which may act as both an endocrine and a local hormone. The tissue kallikrein-kinin system, acting either directly or via paracrine eicosanoids or EDRF, participates in local regulation of the circulation, renal function, and the acute antihypertensive effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) that distinguishes the kallikrein gene family of a strain of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) from normotensive Brown Norway rats has been identified. In a set of 32 recombinant inbred strains derived from these SHR and Brown Norway strains, the RFLP marking the kallikrein gene family of SHR cosegregated with an increase in blood pressure. Also, in a study of Utah families it was found that a dominant-allele kallikrein gene expressed as high urinary kallikrein excretion was associated with a decreased risk of essential hypertension. In conclusion, vasopressor and vasodepressor hormones, acting not only as endocrine but also as local hormones, play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and the pathogenesis of hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Local hormonal factors (intracrine, autocrine, and paracrine) in hypertension. 188 59

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).
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PMID:Enzymes of the kallikrein-kinin system in rainbow trout. 217 52

To clarify the relationship between kallikrein-kinin and renin-angiotensin systems, glandular kallikrein, renin and angiotensin converting enzyme in the submandibular gland, the kidney and plasma were investigated in streptozotocin diabetic and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Kallikrein content in the submandibular gland, the kidney and plasma of diabetic rats was found to be decreased compared with nondiabetic controls. Renin activity in diabetic rats was also reduced in the submandibular gland, but the activity showed no significant changes in the kidney and plasma. The activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in plasma significantly increased in diabetic rats. On the other hand, kallikrein content in hypertensive rats was depressed in the kidney, while the content was unchanged in the submandibular gland and plasma. Renin activity in hypertensive rats was found to be higher than that of normotensive rats in the submandibular gland, but the activity showed no remarkable changes in the kidney and plasma. ACE activity in plasma markedly decreased in hypertensive rats in contrast to diabetic rats. In hypertensive-diabetic rats, changes in the levels of these enzymes in tested materials were similar to those of diabetic rats. From these results it is reasonable to assume that (1) reduced kallikrein generation and elevated ACE activity may induce impaired kinin formation and contribute to the development of diabetes mellitus apart from the presence of hypertension and (2) low kallikrein content in the kidney could cause hypertension.
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PMID:Glandular kallikrein, renin and angiotensin converting enzyme of diabetic and hypertensive rats. 255 14

A trypsin-like serine proteinase, antigen gamma, immunologically partially identical to glandular kallikrein when run against anti-rat glandular kallikrein antiserum in immunoelectrophoresis, was purified from the rat submandibular gland. The enzyme was purified by a two-step chromatography procedure, ionexchange chromatography followed by gel filtration. The criteria for purity were one band in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in immunoelectrophoresis, respectively. Antigen gamma had a molecular mass of 25,000 Da and consisted of two polypeptide chains with molecular masses of 14,000 and 11,000 Da. The preparation contained several isoenzymes with pI ranging from 4.1 to 4.5. The enzyme showed high specific enzyme activity against the substrate D-valyl-L-leucyl-L-arginine-4-nitroanilide (S-2266), some trypsin-like and kininogenase activity, but no angiotensin converting enzyme, kininase, or tonin activity. Amidolytic activity was increased and stabilized by the presence of detergent in the assay buffer. The pH-optimum of antigen gamma amidolytic activity was about 10. Antigen gamma was inhibited by SBTI and PMSF, whereas aprotinin had to be added in a more than 100 times higher concentration than for glandular kallikrein. The binding pattern of antigen gamma to plasma proteins was different from that of tonin and glandular kallikrein. Antiserum against antigen gamma was raised in rabbits and characterized against rat submandibular gland homogenate. Immunohistochemistry showed antigen gamma in the secretory granules of the submandibular gland granular tubular cells but only adhering to the luminal cell wall in the striated and main excretory ducts. Antigen gamma was not detected in the sublingual or parotid gland or in the kidney. Antigen gamma was demonstrated by immunoelectrophoresis in rat submandibular gland saliva. The concentration was higher in sympathetically than in parasympathetically induced secretion.
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PMID:Isolation, characterization, and localization of antigen gamma, a serine proteinase of the "kallikrein-family" in the rat submandibular gland. 282 44

The evidence presented here suggests strongly that the kallikreins-kininogens-kinins-kininase II system has most significant role in regulation of systemic BP. This system is involved in mediation and modulation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone, PGS and vasopressin in the regulation of sodium water balance, renal hemodynamic and BP. Therefore, reduction in the kinin-formation due to high production of kininase II, and lower formation of tissue kallikrein might result in an increased release of vasoconstrictor angiotensin II on one side, and on the other side much reduced production of PGE, vasodilator. These changes might lead to deranged vascular smooth muscle structures and cell membrane functions, retention of sodium and water, increased plasma volume, and renovascular constriction. These physiological defects might result in the development of essential hypertension (Fig. 4). Although, it is possible now to treat hypertensive conditions with tissue kallikrein and kininase II inhibitors. These discoveries have opened up new vistas to research on the pharmacological applications of kallikreins-kininogens-kinins-kininases in human diseases.
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PMID:Interrelationship between the kallikrein-kinin system and hypertension: a review. 328 Mar 99

The hypotheses that glandular kallikrein (KK) potentiate the conversion of angiotensin I (AI) to angiotensin II (AII) was tested on isolated mesenteric artery from rabbit. Cumulative additions of A1 in concentrations 10(-8), 5 X 10(-8) and 10(-7) M gave dose-related contractions of the artery. Due to tachyphylaxis second dose-response run was used for comparison. KK, 0.4 U/ml, potentiated these contractions. Addition of captopril (C, 10(-5) M) to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) reduced the AI responses markedly and tachyphylaxis almost completely. The responses of the KK induced potentiation of AI was the same regardless of the presence of captopril. KK, 0.01 U/ml or 0.4 U/ml, produced the same effects. Saralasin (S, 10(-5) M), an AII receptor antagonist, completely abolished the responses following C+KK+AI. Thus, these results indicate that the KK induced potentiation of the AI response is due to a conversion to AII. Bradykinin (BK, 10(-7), 10(-5) M) did not mimic the KK potentiation of AI. Three different kallikrein inhibitors, S-2441 (H-D-Pro-Phe-Arg-NH-heptyl X 2HCl), Trasylol and amiloride, reduced the KK potentiation of AI. Phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist added for inhibition of AII adrenergic facilitation, also reduced the KK induced potentiation of AI. In conclusion, these results indicate that KK potentiate the conversion of AI to AII and thereby induces vasopressor effects.
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PMID:Kallikrein potentiation of angiotensin I-induced contraction on isolated mesenteric artery. 619 Mar 76

ACE is a function of the endothelial cell that appears vital to integrative homeostatic physiology in stress. The endothelial cell, both in the lung and in systemic tissues, is uniquely situated to detect changes in ambient oxygen tension; thereafter, as exemplified by the effects of altered oxygen tension on ACE, the cell is capable of initiating changes that modulate its functions to reflect the altered physiologic state. Based upon extensive studies of endothelial cells propagated in tissue culture, these altered functions are rapid in onset, rapidly reversible, and quite closely correlated to PO2. Integrity of the endothelial cell membrane is necessary for the modulating changes to occur, and indeed, ACE purified from the cell is insensitive to changes in oxygen tension: it is the cell, not the enzyme, that responds to changes in oxygen tension (FIGURE 5). It is important to emphasize the interdependent nature of the several vasoactive systems. The kallikrein-kinin system, in addition to its putative role in blood pressure regulation, is an intimate component of both the coagulation and fibrinolysis plasma protease cascades. The sympathetic nervous system has multiple points of interdigitation in both the kallikrein-kinin and the renin-angiotensin systems; high levels of epinephrine stimulate renin release and activate both plasma and tissue kallikrein. In turn, both of the vasoactive peptides of these systems, bradykinin and angiotensin II, stimulate epinephrine production from the adrenal medulla. Angiotensin II enhances the potency of norepinephrine released from postganglionic sympathetic nerve endings, increasing alpha-adrenergic tone. In addition, multiple interactions have been described between angiotensin II and bradykinin and the formation of prostaglandins by endothelial cells. Preliminary data indicate that the potency of these peptides in causing prostanoid release is, as might be expected, closely correlated to ACE activity, which itself is a function of ambient PO2. These multiple interactions are diagrammed in FIGURE 9. It is noteworthy that the two fundamental regulators of the circulation, pH and PO2, can be shown to interact at the most basic level with endothelial cell function.
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PMID:Endothelial cell functions in the hemodynamic responses to stress. 630 25

In all mammals investigated so far, an amount of 0.1 - 1 biological unit (KU) of hog pancreatic kallikrein per kg body weight injected intravenously caused a fast reduction in blood pressure with one exception, the rat. Even 1000 times higher doses of hog pancreatic kallikrein did not reduce the blood pressure in this animal. In spite of many experiments performed with rats using hog pancreatic kallikrein to influence various metabolic pathways, there has been no proof, to date, that this enzyme also causes kallikrein-specific effects via kinin liberation in rats. We found only a slow and weak reduction of rat blood pressure after injection of 100 KU hog pancreatic kallikrein per rat, when the endogenous kininases had been previously inactivated by the kininase II inhibitor captopril. However, a fast reduction in blood pressure, similar to the response observed after kinin injection, could be recorded if 90 microliter rat blood, previously incubated for a few minutes with a least 20 k.u. hog pancreatic kallikrein in the presence of captopril, was reinjected. Hence, kinin liberation from rat kininogens by hog pancreatic kallikrein does occur, but proceeds so slowly that the fast kinin degradation by kininases can prevent the typical blood pressure effect of kinin in vivo.
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PMID:Effect of hog pancreatic kallikrein on blood pressure in rats. 691 95


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