[Intracellular messengers in the regulation of renin secretion].

The intracellular messengers that seem to be involved in renin secretion (RS) from juxtaglomerular cells (JG) are calcium (Ca), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Unlike the majority of secretory systems, an increase in intracellular Ca concentration and calmodulin and protein kinase C activation inhibit RS. The intracellular Ca concentration in JG cells can be modified if: 1) the normal mechanisms of Ca extrusion of these cells is altered; 2) the calcium output is blocked by lanthanum; 3) the function of the voltage-sensitive Ca-channels is modified; 4) uptake or liberation of Ca from endoplasmic reticulum is modified; 5) plasmatic membrane is bypassed with calcium ionophores such as A 23187. 6) JG cells are stimulated by hormones that increase Ca and activate protein kinase C such as angiotensin II, vasopressin or alpha-1 adrenergic agonists; 7) extracellular Ca concentration increases or decreases. RS is stimulated by dibutyryl cAMP, cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors and by hormones and agents that activate adenylate cyclase (beta adrenergic agonists, bradykinin, histamine, forskolin and ethylcarboxamide adenosine). On the contrary, RS is inhibited by hormones and agents that inhibit adenylate cyclase such as: alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, neuropeptide Y, angiotensin II and cyclohexyladenosine. Pertussis toxin increases basal RS, blocks the inhibition by agents and hormones which inhibit adenylate cyclase and potentiate the stimulation produced by beta-adrenergic agonists. In JG cells, atrial natriuretic peptide inhibits RS, increases cGMP and decreases cAMP. The increase in cGMP correlates well with the inhibition of RS.