The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an important hormonal system composed of various protein and peptide components that contribute to blood pressure regulation. Although originally characterized as a circulating system, there is increasing evidence for the intracellular expression of RAS elements on the nucleus and mitochondria that may function in concert with or independent of the circulating system. The present chapter describes several experimental approaches to quantify the expression of RAS components in isolated mitochondria from the kidney. These approaches are intended to provide a framework to understand the mitochondrial RAS within a cell-free environment.
Keywords: Ang II; Ang-(1–7); Mas protein; Mitochondria; Neprilysin; Peptide metabolism; Renin; Renin–angiotensin system; Subcellular fractionation; Thimet oligopeptidase.