Renalase (RNLS)

The renalase protein is an enzyme which breaks down catecholamines like adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) in the blood circulation. Researchers at Yale School of Medicine who discovered and named renalase in 2005 suggest that the human kidney releases this protein into the bloodstream to regulate blood pressure.

The renalase protein consists of a secretory signal peptide, a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-binding region, and an amine oxidase domain. At least four alternative splicing isoforms have been identified in humans (hRenalase1 to hRenalase4). Only hRenalase1 is detected in human blood samples, which means that hRenalase2 to 4 probably have a different function than hRenalase1.