DNA sequences encoding Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg and human prorenin were joined and placed under the transcriptional control of the Escherichia coli trp promoter-operator in the expression vector pTR501. E. coli cells transformed with pTR501 expressed high levels (30% of total cell protein) of prorenin as part of a hybrid protein with the trp E gene product. The chimeric protein, accumulated in a sedimentable form, was dissolved in 6 M guanidine X HCl, purified to near homogeneity, and renatured by dialysis. The complete prorenin sequence was then excised from the renatured hybrid protein using blood coagulation factor Xa, a proteinase which is highly specific for the tetrapeptide insert Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg introduced between the 9 amino-terminal residues of the trp E gene product and the first amino acid (Thr 1) of prorenin. Human prorenin thus obtained was readily activatable with trypsin and showed close similarities to naturally occurring prorenin in its biochemical and immunochemical properties.