VTP-27999 is a highly potent and selective renin inhibitor (IC50 = 0.47 nM). It exhibits >1000 selectivity for renin over >150 receptors, ion channels and enzymes.
Renin is an asparyl protease that cleaves angiotensinogen into angiotension I in the plasma. It functions as a regulator of blood pressure and sodium homeostasis.
In vitro, VTP-27999 increases renin immunoreactivity by ≥30%, it bind to acid-activated, intact prorenin and promotes immunoreactivity in a renin assay. In vascular smooth muscle cells, VTP-27999 also blocks renin's ability to activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation. [1]
In double transgenic rats engineered to express human renin and angiotensinogen with severe hypertension, 24h treatment of 10 mg/kg VTP-27999 induces a greater reduction in mean arterial blood pressure and a longer duration of action. [2]
References:
1. Krop M, Lu X, Verdonk K, Schalekamp MA et al. New renin inhibitor VTP-27999 alters renin immunoreactivity and does not unfold prorenin. Hypertension. 2013 May;61(5):1075-82.
2. Jia L, Simpson RD, Yuan J et al. Discovery of VTP-27999, an Alkyl Amine Renin Inhibitor with Potential for Clinical Utility. ACS Med Chem Lett. 2011 Aug 9;2(10):747-51.