Bradykinin production pathway

The "Bradykinin production pathway" refers to a biochemical cascade responsible for generating the peptide bradykinin from precursor proteins. This process is primarily mediated by the kallikrein–kinin system, where high-molecular-weight kininogen is cleaved by kallikreins—enzymes activated from prekallikreins via factor XII—to release bradykinin. The pathway also involves alternative routes such as plasmin-mediated cleavage of kininogen. Bradykinin acts as a potent mediator of inflammation and vasodilation, increasing vascular permeability and contributing to blood pressure regulation. Dysregulation of this pathway is implicated in diseases like hereditary angioedema and can be affected therapeutically by drugs such as ACE inhibitors that prevent bradykinin breakdown[2][3][4][5]. **Note:** "Bradykinin production pathway" is not itself a molecule or receptor but rather describes an enzymatic cascade/pathway; thus it should not be considered a canonical therapeutic target like an individual protein or receptor would be. The actual molecular targets within this pathway include enzymes such as plasma kallikrein, factor XIIa, and receptors like the bradykinin B2 receptor[2][3].

Other names

Kallikrein-kinin systemKinin–kallikrein pathwayContact system (context-dependent)

ACE inhibitors increase bradykinin levels by inhibiting its degradation[3][5]