Description
This gene uses alternative splicing to generate two different proteins- high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) and low molecular weight kininogen (LMWK). HMWK is essential for blood coagulation and assembly of the kallikrein-kinin system. Also, bradykinin, a peptide causing numerous physiological effects, is released from HMWK. Bradykinin also functions as an antimicrobial peptide with antibacterial and antifungal activity. In contrast to HMWK, LMWK is not involved in blood coagulation. Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reduces or depletes angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which results in an increase in levels of des-Arg(9)-bradykinin, a bioactive metabolite of bradykinin that is associated with lung injury and inflammation. Three transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.