Corin in natriuretic peptide processing and hypertension

Curr Hypertens Rep. 2014 Feb;16(2):415. doi: 10.1007/s11906-013-0415-7.

Abstract

Corin is a serine protease originally isolated from the heart. Functional studies show that corin is the long-sought enzyme responsible for activating cardiac natriuretic peptides. In mice, lack of corin prevents natriuretic peptide processing, causing salt-sensitive hypertension. In humans, corin variants and mutations that reduce corin activity have been identified in patients with hypertension and heart failure. Decreased plasma levels of corin antigen and activity have been reported in patients with heart failure and coronary artery disease. Low levels of urinary corin also have been found in patients with chronic kidney disease. Most recent studies show that corin also acts in the uterus to promote spiral artery remodeling and prevent pregnancy-induced hypertension. Here, we review the role of corin in natriuretic peptide processing and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, pre-eclampsia, and chronic kidney disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure / genetics
  • Heart Failure / complications
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / metabolism*
  • Natriuretic Peptides / genetics
  • Natriuretic Peptides / metabolism*
  • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Natriuretic Peptides
  • CORIN protein, human
  • Serine Endopeptidases