Renin plays a key role in controlling blood pressure through its specific cleavage of
angiotensinogen to generate angiotensin I (AI). Although possible existence of the other
angiotensin forming enzymes has been discussed to date, its in vivo function remains to be
elucidated. To address the contribution of renin, we generated renin knockout mice.
Homozygous mutant mice show neither detectable levels of plasma renin activity nor plasma
AI, lowered blood pressure 20–30 mm Hg less than normal, increased urine and drinking …