Description
Angiotensinogen (AGT) is a glycoprotein found in plasma at a concentration of 2.8-7.1 mg per 100mL in healthy individuals. AGT is produced primarily by the liver but also is synthesized in the brain, large arteries, kidneys and adipose tissue. In plasma it exists as a monomeric form (55-65 kDa) as well as a high molecular mass form (200-550 kDa). In non-pregnant individuals with normal blood pressure, the high molecular mass form accounts for 3% of total circulating AGT. In the first half of pregnancy the total AGT increases by 4-fold and the high molecular mass form increases by 20-fold. Up to 80% of the total AGT in amniotic fluid is the high molecular mass form