Kallikrein and prekallikrein on the basolateral membrane of rat kidney tubules

A method to evaluate the renin-angiotensin system in rat renal cortex using a microdialysis technique combined with HPLC-fluorescence detection

A microdialysis (MD) technique, combined with HPLC-fluorescence (FL) detection, was developed for the evaluation of the tissue-specific renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the rat renal cortex. An MD probe constructed with a hydrophilic hollow fiber dialysis tubing, AN69, showed high recovery (more than 50%) in vitro for all four angiotensins: angiotensin I (Ang I), Ang II, Ang III, and Ang (1-7). Angiotensins, successfully derivatized with m-BS-ABD-F, a water-soluble fluorogenic reagent that has a 2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (benzofurazan) structure, could be simultaneously determined by coupled-column HPLC. The detection limit for Ang I, Ang II, Ang III, and Ang (1-7) were 94, 44, 47, and 83 fmol, respectively. All these peptides were determined with good linearity (0.0125-3.1 microM, equivalent to 0.25-62 pmol, correlation coefficient >0.99) and good precision (recovery >91%). In the MD studies, generation of Ang (1-7) and Ang II was observed when Ang I was perfused, and Ang (1-7) was the major biologically active angiotensin found in the dialysate samples. The concentration of Ang (1-7) and Ang II in the dialysate samples showed good correlation to that of Ang I in a MD perfusate (20-100 microM). Cleavage of Ang I to Ang (1-7) was drastically suppressed by the co-perfusion of phoshoramidon (0.5-5 mM), an inhibitor of neprilysin, which generates Ang (1-7) from Ang I. These results are consistent with the previously reported characteristics of tissue-specific renal RAS, suggesting that our MD/HPLC-FL system may have the potential to be employed to evaluate tissue-specific RAS in the rat renal cortex.

Determination of bradykinin in rat urine by coupled-column high pressure liquid chromatography with precolumn derivatization with a water-soluble fluorogenic reagent

Bradykinin (BK) in rat urine was determined by coupled-column HPLC with precolumn fluorogenic derivatization with a water-soluble reagent, 3-(7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole-4-sulfonamido)benzenesulfonic acid (m-BS-ABD-F). The derivatization of BK with m-BS-ABD-F was completed at 70 degrees C for 100 min and gave only a single peak of BK derivative in addition to the peaks of the blank. The hydrophilicity of the derivatization reagent effectively prevented the adsorption of BK during the sample pretreatment and improved the recovery of BK. Good linearity was shown between the amount of BK spiked in urine (0-10 pmol) and the peak area of the BK derivatives (correlation coefficients >0.999), and the detection limits of the BK derivative were 35 fmol (S/N = 3). The precisions (cv, %) of intra- and interday assay were not more than 5.5% and the accuracies were in the range of 95.3-111% (1 and 5 pmol of BK in urine, n = 3). Although the peak regarded as that of the BK derivative rapidly decreased after incubation at 37 degrees C, addition of urinary kininase inhibitors to the urine samples drastically suppressed the decrease of this peak, confirming that the identified peak was that of the BK derivative. The urinary kinin excretion in male SD rats (9-11 weeks old) determined by the present method was 56.0 +/- 22.1 pg/min/kg (mean +/- SE, n = 5).

Expression of rat kallikrein and epithelial polarity in transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

Many properties of urinary kallikrein are well characterized, but the intracellular processing of prokallikrein and release by kidney cells have yet to be clarified. We report here on the synthesis of prokallikrein in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells transfected with rat submaxillary gland kallikrein cDNA and on its activation by MDCK cells and by an enriched liver Golgi membrane preparation. Transfected MDCK cells secreted only prokallikrein at both the apical and basolateral sides in about a 4:1 ratio, but cells transfected with kallikrein cDNA in reverse orientation or untreated cells released only traces of the enzyme. Prokallikrein, in culture medium or in homogenized MDCK cells, was fully activated by trypsin but activated only to 44% by thermolysin. Prokallikrein was synthesized and released into the medium at a high rate: the enzyme secreted by 5 x 10(6) cells in 24 hours cleaved 46 nmol/min D-Val-Leu-Arg-7-amino-4-methylcoumarin and liberated 63 ng/min bradykinin after activation. Immunocytology indicated the association of prokallikrein with the Golgi apparatus in the transfected cells. Antiserum to rat urinary kallikrein detected a single band in a Western blot of conditioned medium and also immunoprecipitated the enzyme. Aprotinin inhibited activated prokallikrein. Although MDCK cells released prokallikrein, their homogenates activated prokallikrein at both pH 5.5 and 7.5. Prokallikrein was also activated by a highly enriched liver Golgi membrane fraction and by an endoplasmic reticulum preparation, but the Golgi preparation was 38-fold more active. The activation was blocked significantly by inhibitors of serine proteases and less by cysteine protease inhibitors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evidence that intrarenal bradykinin plays a role in regulation of renal function

Bradykinin (BK) is produced by the kidney, but the role of the renal kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) in the control of renal function is not understood. We studied the effects of intrarenal infusion of the BK antagonist, D-Arg-Arg-Pro-Hyp-Gly-Thi-Ser-D-Phe-Thi-Arg-trifluoroacetic acid (BKA, n = 5) and BK (n = 4) alone or combined with antagonist (BKA 0.025 ng.kg-1 x min-1 + BK 0.25 ng.kg-1 x min-1, n = 4) in uninephrectomized conscious dogs in sodium balance at 10 and 80 meq/day. During low sodium intake, administration of BKA (infusions from 0.025 to 2.5 ng.kg-1 x min-1) caused a significant antidiuresis (P < 0.0001) and antinatriuresis (P < 0.0001) and a decrease in fractional sodium excretion (P < 0.0001). There were no changes in estimated renal plasma flow (RPF) or glomerular filtration rate during intrarenal administration of BKA at 0.025 and 0.25 ng.kg-1 x min-1. A dose of 2.5 ng.kg-1 x min-1 BKA caused a significant decrease in RPF. There were no changes in plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, or systemic arterial pressure during intrarenal BKA administration. At 80 meq/day sodium balance (n = 5), intrarenal administration of BKA did not cause any systemic or renal effects. Intrarenal administration of BK at 0.25 ng.kg-1 x min-1 during low sodium balance caused an increase in urine flow rate and urinary sodium excretion. Coinfusion of BK with BKA completely abrogated the renal excretory changes induced by BKA. These data suggest that intrarenal KKS plays a role in control of renal function largely by a tubular mechanism during low sodium intake.

3H-bradykinin binding site localization in guinea pig urinary system

Bradykinin (BK) causes vasodilation and increases free water and sodium excretion in the kidney and stimulates smooth muscle contraction in the ureter and bladder. Several proposed sites of action for BK include the renal medullary collecting duct, renal blood vessels and the ureter and bladder smooth muscle. This study employs 3H-BK autoradiography to localize the sites of BK action. 3H-BK binding sites in the kidney are localized in the medullary interstitium where BK may produce prostaglandins which mediate its blood flow, natriuretic and diuretic effects. 3H-BK binding sites in the ureter and bladder are localized in the lamina propria below the basal epithelial layer and absent over the muscle layers suggesting an indirect action on urinary tract smooth muscle.

Purification of human urinary prokallikrein. Identification of the site of activation by the metalloproteinase thermolysin

Human urinary active kallikrein and prokallikrein were separated on DEAE-cellulose and octyl-Sepharose columns and both purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography, gel filtration and hydrophobic h.p.l.c. Prokallikrein was monitored during purification by trypsin activation followed by determination of both amidase and kininogenase activity. After trypsin activation, purified prokallikrein had a specific kininogenase activity of 39.4 micrograms of bradykinin equivalent/min per mg and amidase activity of 16.5 mumol/min per mg with D-Val-Leu-Arg-7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin. Purified active kallikrein had a specific activity of 47 micrograms of bradykinin/min per mg. The molecular mass of prokallikrein was 48 kDa on electrophoresis and 53 kDa on gel filtration whereas active kallikrein gave values of 46 kDa and 53 kDa respectively. Antisera to active and prokallikrein were obtained. In double immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis, antiserum to active kallikrein reacted with active and pro-kallikrein. Antiserum to prokallikrein contained antibodies to determinants not found in active kallikrein, presumably due to the presence of the activation peptide in the proenzyme. Human prokallikrein can be activated by thermolysin, trypsin and human plasma kallikrein. Activation of 50% of the prokallikrein (1.35 microM) was achieved in 30 min with 25 nM-thermolysin, 78 nM-trypsin or 180 nM-human plasma kallikrein. Thus thermolysin was the most effective activator. Thermolysin activated prokallikrein by releasing active kallikrein with N-terminal Ile1-Val2. Thus human tissue (glandular) prokallikrein can be activated by two types of enzymes: serine proteinases, which cleave at the C-terminus of basic amino acids, and by a metalloproteinase that cleaves at the N-terminus of hydrophobic amino acids.

Activation of human and rabbit prokallikrein by serine and metalloproteases

Human and rabbit kidney and urine contain an inactive form of kallikrein. Studies on the mRNA sequence suggested that the active form of the enzyme and the propeptide are linked by a peptide bond between a basic and hydrophobic amino acid. We studied the activation of prokallikrein by serine proteases and a neutral metalloproteinase, thermolysin, because serine proteases cleave the peptide chain after a basic amino acid and thermolysin before a hydrophobic amino acid. The activity of kallikrein was measured by RIA and with a fluorogenic peptide substrate. Trypsin was used as a standard reference activator. We found that human plasmin and plasminogen, activated by urokinase, activate prokallikrein. Pronase coupled to Sepharose also enhanced the activity of the renal kallikrein zymogen. On a molar basis, thermolysin was a more effective activator of prokallikrein than trypsin. The activation by thermolysin was blocked by the inhibitor phosphoramidon, but not by DFP or SBTI. These experiments indicate that, in addition to serine proteases, neutral metalloproteases of tissues may activate prokallikrein.

Kallikrein-kinin and renin-angiotensin systems in rat renal lymph

Rat renal lymph contains 254 +/- 17 ng/ml (means +/- SEM, N = 20) of immunoreactive glandular kallikrein. Like the immunoreactive glandular kallikrein in plasma, it is biologically inactive. Gel filtration of renal lymph reveals profiles for immunoreactive glandular kallikrein, protein, and inhibition of trypsin and kallikrein which resemble those seen for plasma except that high molecular weight plasma components are reduced or missing in renal lymph. In contrast, gel filtration of thoracic lymph reveals immunoreactive glandular kallikrein and protein profiles which are indistinguishable from those seen with plasma. Renin levels are 170-fold higher in renal lymph than in thoracic lymph while angiotensin-converting enzyme levels are only 16% those of thoracic lymph. In keeping with the high renin and low converting enzyme activities, renal lymph contains high levels of angiotensin I. Immunoreactive glandular kallikrein levels in renal lymph, thoracic lymph and plasma do not show the striking differences observed for renin.

Role of vasopressin in regulation of renal kinin excretion in Long-Evans and diabetes insipidus rats

To study the relationship between vasopressin and the renal kallikrein-kinin system we measured the rate of excretion of kinins into the urine of anesthetized rats during conditions of increased and decreased vasopressin level. The excretion of immunoreactive kinins in Brattleboro rats with hereditary diabetes insipidus (DI) (24 +/- 3 pg min-1 kg-1) was lower than in the control Long Evans (LE) rats (182 +/- 22 pg min-1 kg-1; P less than 0.05). The DI rats also exhibited negligible urinary excretion of immunoreactive vasopressin, reduced urine osmolality, and increased urine flow and kininogenase excretion. In LE rats, volume expansion by infusion of 0.45% NaCl-2.5% dextrose to lower vasopressin secretion reduced (P less than 0.05) kinin excretion, vasopressin excretion, and urine osmolality to 41, 26, and 15% of their respective control values, while increasing (P less than 0.05) urine flow and kininogenase excretion. On the other hand, the infusion of 5% NaCl, which promotes vasopressin secretion, increased (P less than 0.05) the urinary excretion of kinins and vasopressin to 165 and 396% of control, while increasing (P less than 0.05) urine flow and kininogenase excretion. Infusion of vasopressin (1.2 mU/h, intravenous) enhanced (P less than 0.05) kinin excretion by two to threefold in DI rats and in LE rats during volume expansion with 0.45% NaCl-2.5% dextrose, while decreasing urine flow and increasing urine osmolality. This study demonstrates that the urinary excretion of immunoreactive kinins varies in relation to the urinary level of vasopressin, irrespective of urine volume and osmolality and of the urinary excretions of sodium and kininogenase. The study suggests a role for vasopressin in promoting the activity of the renal kallikrein-kinin system in the rat.

Kallikrein along the rabbit microdissected nephron: a micromethod for its measurement. Effect of adrenalectomy and DOCA treatment

Active and inactive kallikrein were measured along the rabbit microdissected nephron. A sensitive and specific micromethod for the measurement of kininogenase activity was developed in order to quantify kallikrein in pieces of tubule as small as 0.3-0.5 mm. Our study confirms that active and inactive kallikrein are located to the connecting tubule (CNT). The effects on renal kallikrein of a chronic DOCA treatment and of adrenalectomy were studied. Urinary excretion of kallikrein was also monitored. After DOCA treatment, active kallikrein increased in the tubule and in urine but inactive kallikrein did not significantly change. Adrenalectomy decreased by 50% active and inactive contents of CNT, as well as reduced the excretion of total kallikrein. Kallikrein content in CNT was also measured in adrenalectomized rabbits 3 h after a single injection of either aldosterone (10 micrograms) or dexamethasone (100 micrograms). After either aldosterone or dexamethasone injections, kallikrein activities were not restored, whereas in the same animals Na-K-ATPase activity which was depressed on cortical and medullary collecting tubules after adrenalectomy returned toward normal values. These data indicate that kallikrein synthesis and activation are influenced by adrenal hormones. Renal kallikrein is, however, regulated at a much slower rate than Na+-K+-ATPase. This may suggest an indirect rather than direct action of corticosteroid hormones on kallikrein.

Regulation of rat urinary and renal kallikrein and prekallikrein by corticosteroids

Rats were adrenalectomized and injected for 7 days with dexamethasone (DEX) or deoxycorticosterone. Kallikrein and prekallikrein were assayed in urine and in a basolateral membrane-enriched fraction. The activities of renin and phospholipase A2 were also determined in the fraction. Adrenalectomy significantly decreased active kallikrein in urine. Administration of deoxycorticosterone raised the level of active kallikrein in urine without affecting the concentration of prekallikrein. Rats treated with DEX only had high Na+ and low active kallikrein excretion. The total kallikrein level (active kallikrein together with prekallikrein), however, returned to normal because DEX elevated the prekallikrein level. DEX also increased the prekallikrein concentration in the membrane-enriched fraction. Renin activity in the membrane-enriched fraction was enhanced by adrenalectomy but suppressed by either corticosteroid. The changes in the concentration of plasma renin were qualitatively similar but quantitatively different. The activity of phospholipase A2 in the membrane-enriched fraction was enhanced only by deoxycorticosterone. Thus, both gluco- and mineralocorticoids increased kallikrein excretion in the adrenalectomized animals, but DEX was apparently effective at a lower dose than deoxycorticosterone. DEX increases the prekallikrein concentration in urine and on the basal membrane of distal tubular cells and, in addition, may prevent its conversion by releasing an inhibitor of a prekallikrein activator.

Kallikrein and prekallikrein of the isolated basolateral membrane of rat kidney

A basolateral membrane (BLM) enriched fraction of the homogenized rat kidney contained kallikrein and prekallikrein which differ from urinary kallikrein. Triton X-100 (0.1%) or melittin (10(-7) - 10(-5)M) solubilized the membrane-bound enzyme. Prekallikrein was activated by trypsin and plasmin. Active kallikrein and activated prekallikrein cleaved the chromogenic substrate S-2266 and released bradykinin from kininogen. Aprotinin and antiserum to rat urinary kallikrein inhibited BLM kallikrein. Gel electrophoresis separated activated BLM prekallikrein and kallikrein; prekallikrein even after activation moved slower (Rf = 0.3) in electrophoresis at an alkaline pH than active kallikrein (Rf = 1). Gel filtration resolved BLM kallikrein to two proteins of low (4 X 10(4) M) and high (1.5 X 10(5) M) molecular weight. After isoelectric focusing of the activated BLM fraction, two kallikreins with pIs of 3.9 and 5.3 were obtained. The BLM fraction also contained renin which became active after Triton treatment. Renin activity was not enhanced by trypsin or acid pH indicating that there was no prorenin present. Thus, BLM of rat kidney contains a kallikrein which is different from urinary kallikrein. This kallikrein, when released from basal membrane, may appear in renal lymph and venous effluent.

Response of the renal kallikrein-kinin system, intravascular volume, and renal hemodynamics to sodium restriction and diuretic treatment in essential hypertension

The renal kallikrein-kinin system, distinct from the plasma system, is an enzyme sequence producing kinins, principally lysyl bradykinin. While the functions of the system have not been conclusively established, it has been implicated in renal vasodilation and natriuresis, although the evidence is often conflicting. Measurement of urinary kallikrein excretion is the most common way to assess the system, although kallikrein excretion and kinin excretion are often dissociated. Kallikrein excretion is influenced by several hormonal systems, as well as dietary alterations, disease states (including hypertension), and numerous drugs. Kallikrein excretion is diminished in hypertension (especially hypertension with reduced renal function), suggesting involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease. Dietary sodium restriction increases kallikrein excretion while lowering blood pressure, but the blood pressure reduction correlates with plasma volume contraction rather than the increase in kallikrein. Thiazide diuretics lower blood pressure and renal vascular resistance while increasing kallikrein excretion, and blood pressure "responders" to thiazides have a greater kallikrein increment than the "nonresponders," suggesting a role for renal kallikrein in the hypotensive response to thiazides.

Prekallikrein, kallikrein and renin in membrane fractions of rat kidney

Two different plasma membrane enriched fractions were isolated from the homogenized rat kidney by differential centrifugation in dextran or sucrose. Marker enzymes and morphological studies indicated that one fraction (BLM) was enriched in membrane particles originating from the basolateral membrane of tubular cells, while the other, the PM fraction, contained membrane from the luminal side. Membrane-bound kallikrein and renin were found in both fractions. Kallikrein activity was enhanced by phospholipase A2, melittin and detergents. Renin activity was greatly increased after solubilization by the same agents. In addition to bound kallikrein and renin BLM contained a prekallikrein which was activated by trypsin or plasmin. BLM prekallikrein has a slower electrophoretic mobility and a higher molecular weight than urinary or glandular kallikrein. The basal membrane of tubular cells appears to contain all of the essential enzyme components of the kallikrein and renin systems. Kallikrein of the PM fraction is probably released into the urine, while prekallikrein and kallikrein from basal membrane may be the source of kallikrein in lymph and renal venous effluent. Membrane-bound renin could be a form of renin retained by the kidney.