renin

Noun.  (enzyme) An circulating enzyme released by mammalian kidneys that converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin-I. Because its activity ultimately leads to formation of angiotensin-II and aldosterone, this hormone plays a role in maintaining blood pressure.

This is an unmodified, but possibly outdated, definition from Wiktionary and used here under the Creative Commons license. Wiktionary is a great resource. If you like it too, please donate to Wikimedia.

This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.