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Sex-Specific Changes in Renal Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Gene Expression and Enzyme Activity at Birth and Over the First Year of Life

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Abstract

Objective

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) are key enzymes of the renin–angiotensin system. We investigated developmental changes in renal ACE and ACE2 gene expression and activity in both male and female sheep.

Methods

Three groups of sheep (fetus, newborn, and adult) were used. Renal ACE and ACE2 activities, messenger RNA (mRNA), and protein expression were studied.

Results

Renal ACE and ACE2 activities increased at 1 year in males, while there were no changes throughout development in females. Renal ACE and ACE2 mRNA and protein showed no sex differences but increased by 1 year of age.

Conclusion

There are sex-related differences in the development of renal-converting enzyme activities that may have functional implications in terms of the regulation of blood pressure and renal function in men and women. The difference in the patterns of gene expression and enzyme activity indicates that changes in gene expression may not accurately reflect changes in activity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Kai Chen MD, Jianli Bi MD, PhD, Yixin Su MD, MS & James C. Rose PhD

  2. Center of Research for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Jianli Bi MD, PhD, Yixin Su MD, MS & James C. Rose PhD

  3. Hypertension and Vascular Research Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Mark C. Chappell PhD

  4. Wake Forest University SOM, Medical Center Blvd, 27157, ##, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    James C. Rose PhD

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  1. Kai Chen MD
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  2. Jianli Bi MD, PhD
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  3. Yixin Su MD, MS
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  4. Mark C. Chappell PhD
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  5. James C. Rose PhD
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Correspondence to James C. Rose PhD.

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Chen, K., Bi, J., Su, Y. et al. Sex-Specific Changes in Renal Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Gene Expression and Enzyme Activity at Birth and Over the First Year of Life. Reprod. Sci. 23, 200–210 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719115597760

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