Peptide Inhibitors of the Renin–Angiotensin System

Abstract

RENIN is said to split a leucyl–leucine bond in alpha 2 globulin substrate—angiotensinogen—to yield a decapeptide, angiotensin I. Angiotensin I is subsequently converted into an octapeptide, angiotensin II, by a converting enzyme contained in plasma. Angiotensin II has a pressor activity. We have studied the effects of synthetic peptides with a leucyl–leucine bond and their derivatives on the activity of renin in the formation of angiotensin. The peptides were di-, tri-, tetra- and pentapeptides with leucyl–leucine bonds at the C-terminal end, in the middle position, at the N-terminal end or with one of the other structures as shown in Table 1.