The Rnls (renalase, FAD-dependent amine oxidase) gene encodes an oxidase that metabolizes catecholamines. It is expressed in kidney, heart, and skeletal muscle and secreted into the blood by the kidney. Levels of the protein are decreased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease.
These mice carry a knockout allele of the gene. Homozygotes demonstrate increased plasma catecholamine levels, hypertension, and mild ventricular hypertrophy in the absence of any measurable change in renal function. They tolerate cardiac ischemia poorly and develop myocardial necrosis threefold more severe than wildtype controls. This gene plays and important role in cardiovascular pathology.
Interestingly, in xenograft mouse models it has been shown that using a renalase monoclonal antibody shRNA knockdown of renalase inhibits pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma growth.
