The nephron prorenin receptor (PRR) may modulate blood pressure (BP) and Na+ balance. Since previous models of PRR knockout (KO) mice had early lethality and/or structural defects, we developed an inducible nephron-wide PRR KO using the Pax8/LC1 transgenes. Disruption of nephron PRR at 1 month of age caused no renal histological abnormalities. On a normal Na+ diet, wild-type (WT) and PRR KO mice had similar BP and Na+ excretion. However, PRR KO mice had elevated PRC (KO- 377 ± 77 vs WT- 127 ± 19 ng Ang-I/ml/hr) and a 50% decrease in renal ENaC-α protein. Protein levels of NHE3, NKCC2, NCC and ENaC-β/γ were similar between the two groups. Treatment with mouse prorenin (10 nM for 30 min) increased ENaC channel number by 2-fold, but not open probability, in isolated split-open cortical collecting ducts (CCD) from WT mice; this was prevented by Akt inhibition (A6730) but unaffected by blockade of AT-1 (losartan), ERK1/2 (U0126) or p38 MAPK (SB203580). Addition of prorenin (10 nM) did not change isolated CCD [Ca2+]i as assessed by Fura-2 loading (10 min exposure with readings every 3 sec). On a low Na+ diet, PRR KO mice had increased Na+ excretion (Day 2: KO - 66 ± 11 vs WT- 42 ± 6 μmol/day; Day 6: KO - 39 ± 4 vs ET- 23 ± 4 μmol/day) however, no differences in BP were observed. PRC was elevated in PRR KO mice on a low Na+ diet (KO- 384 ± 40 vs WT-174 ± 12 ng/ Ang-I/ml/hr). PRR KO mice had an attenuated hypertensive response to Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) infusion at 600 ng/Kg/min for 2 weeks (MAP: KO - 117 ± 4 vs WT - 133 ± 4 mm Hg over the course of Ang-II infusion). Urinary Na+ excretion was elevated in Ang-II treated PRR KO mice as compared to WT mice (KO-344 ± 14 vs WT-268 ±30 μmol/day). Taken together, these data indicate that nephron PRR, likely via direct prorenin/renin stimulation of an Akt-dependent pathway, stimulates CCD ENaC activity. Absence of nephron PRR promotes Na+ wasting and reduces the hypertensive response to Ang-II.
(Pro)renin receptor: another member of the system controlled by angiotensin II?