Receptor-mediated actions of renin and prorenin.

Renin can induce renal disease by generating angiotensin II and, thereby, increasing fibrosis. Huang et al describe a new mechanism of action whereby the renin-angiotensin system can also exert this effect. Direct activation of the renin/prorenin receptor in mesangial cells induced synthesis of TGF-beta and profibrotic proteins. Hence, like other proteases such as thrombin, renin and prorenin are capable of receptor-mediated cellular signaling.