Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.23.15 (renin)
 35,795 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Previously we demonstrated that upstream stimulatory factor 2 (USF2) transgenic (Tg) mice developed nephropathy including albuminuria and glomerular hypertrophy, accompanied by increased transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and fibronectin accumulation in the glomeruli. However, the mechanisms by which overexpression of USF2 induces kidney injury are unknown. USF has been shown to regulate renin expression. Moreover, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays important roles in renal diseases. Therefore, in the present studies the effects of USF2 on the regulation of RAS in the kidney as well as in mesangial cells from USF2 (Tg) mice were examined. The role of USF2-mediated regulation of RAS in TGF-beta production in mesangial cells was also determined. Our data demonstrate that USF2 (Tg) mice exhibit increased renin and angiotensin (ANG) II levels in the kidney. In contrast, renal expression of other components of RAS such as renin receptor, angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), ACE2, angiotensin type 1a (AT(1a)) receptor, and AT(2) receptor was not altered in USF2 (Tg) mice. Similarly, mesangial cells isolated from USF2 (Tg) mice had increased renin and ANG II levels. Mesangial cells overexpressing USF2 also had increased TGF-beta production, which was blocked by small interfering RNA-mediated renin gene knockdown or RAS blockade (enalapril or losartan). Collectively, these results suggest that USF2 promotes renal renin expression and stimulates ANG II generation, leading to activation of the intrarenal RAS. In addition, renin-dependent ANG II generation mediates the effect of USF2 on TGF-beta production in mesangial cells, which may contribute to the development of nephropathy in USF2 (Tg) mice.
 ...
PMID:Activation of renal renin-angiotensin system in upstream stimulatory factor 2 transgenic mice. 1900 31

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). About 20%-30% of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes develop DN. DN is characterized by both glomerulosclerosis with thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and mesangial matrix expansion, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Hyperglycemia and the activation of the intra-renal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in diabetes have been suggested to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of DN. However, the mechanisms are not well known. Studies from our laboratory demonstrated that the transcription factor-upstream stimulatory factor 2 (USF2) is an important regulator of DN. Moreover, the renin gene is a downstream target of USF2. Importantly, USF2 transgenic (Tg) mice demonstrate a specific increase in renal renin expression and angiotensin II (AngII) levels in kidney and exhibit increased urinary albumin excretion and extracellular matrix deposition in glomeruli, supporting a role for USF2 in the development of diabetic nephropathy. In this review, we summarize our findings of the mechanisms by which diabetes regulates USF2 in kidney cells and its role in regulation of renal renin-angiotensin system and the development of diabetic nephropathy.
 ...
PMID:Role of upstream stimulatory factor 2 in diabetic nephropathy. 2649 84