[Frontiers in Bioscience 16, 3216-3223, June 1, 2011]

Functional characterization of (pro)renin receptor in association with V-ATPase

Kenichiro Kinouchi1, Atsuhiro Ichihara2, Hiroshi Itoh1

1Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nephrology, 2Department of Endocrinology & Anti-Aging Medicine and Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. (Pro)renin receptor under pathological conditions
4. Significance of the (P)RR in embryonal development
5. Possible physiological function of the (P)RR based on the V-ATPase
6. The (P)RR functions dependent on its structure and cellular localization
7. Insight from another V-ATPase accessory subunit: Ac45
8. Signal transduction, V-ATPase dependent acidic environment, and the (P)RR.
9. Future directions
10. References

1. ABSTRACT

The (pro)renin receptor ((P)RR) is a unique molecule that binds prorenin and renin in tissues, not only leading to their activation, but also inducing intracellular signaling. As a key player in the local renin-angiotensin system, (P)RR activation plays an important role in the development of cardiac fibrosis and proteinuria in hypertension and diabetes. Intriguingly, the fragment (P)RR is also called ATP6AP2 because it has been shown to be associated with vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase). The V-ATPase is a multi-subunit proton pump involved in diverse and fundamental cellular processes, including receptor-mediated endocytosis, processing of proteins and signaling molecules, membrane sorting and trafficking, and activation of lysosomal enzymes. The role of (P)RR in the function of the V-ATPase is implicated in the previous findings and vigorously investigated in the recent studies. Furthermore, the novel function of the (P)RR as an adaptor protein between the Wnt receptor complex and the V-ATPase was discovered. Thus, the (P)RR is a multi-functional molecule that shows the complex structure and behaviour. This review highlights the current insights and the future perspectives in research regarding the (P)RR and mammalian V-ATPase.