Inactivation of renin in a mixed mitochondrial-lysosomal fraction of post-partum uterus.

The marked renin inactivation seen during in vitro incubation of post-partum uterine slices which mimics the in vivo condition, is not accompanied by a similar general proteolysis. The inactivating mechanism is so far non-specific with respect to organ or species as added hog renal renin is inactivated at a similar rate as endogenous renin. Endogenous alkaline phosphatase is not significantly inactivated and added alkaline phosphatase is completely stable. A marked inactivation of endogenous renin also takes place during incubation of a mixed mitochondrial-lysosomal suspension prepared from post-partum uterus. The process is more pronounced at pH 7.4 than at 6.8. Freezing and thawing and addition of Triton X-100 prior to incubation inhibits the inactivation. ATP and alpha-ketoglutarate slightly stimulates the process while CoA and chloroquine have no effect. Both iodoacetate and phenylmethylsulphonylfluoride inhibit the inactivation, suggesting that more than one enzyme is involved in the inactivation.