Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating metabolic diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and Type II diabetes. In some examples, the method includes administration of an effective amount of a (pro)renin receptor (PRR) antagonist to a subject in need thereof, such as a patient at risk of acquiring or afflicted with NAFLD, NASH and/or Type II diabetes, to prevent, inhibit, and/or reduce one or more signs or symptoms associated with NAFLD, NASH and/or Type II diabetes, such as by reducing the severity of liver steatosis.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating kidney disease, infectious or inflammatory diseases, acute kidney injury and hypertension by administering a (pro)renin receptor (PRR) antagonist. In some instances the PRR antagonist is a polypeptide. The PRR antagonist can be a polypeptide having at least 70% identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. Also disclosed are methods of decreasing proteinuria and methods of promoting wound healing by administering a PRR antagonist.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating kidney disease, infectious or inflammatory diseases, acute kidney injury and hypertension by administering a (pro)renin receptor (PRR) antagonist. In some instances the PRR antagonist is a polypeptide. The PRR antagonist can be a polypeptide having at least 70% identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. Also disclosed are methods of decreasing proteinuria and methods of promoting wound healing by administering a PRR antagonist.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating kidney disease, infectious or inflammatory diseases, acute kidney injury and hypertension by administering a (pro)renin receptor (PRR) antagonist. In some instances the PRR antagonist is a polypeptide. The PRR antagonist can be a polypeptide having at least 70% identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. Also disclosed are methods of decreasing proteinuria and methods of promoting wound healing by administering a PRR antagonist.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increasing a plant's resistance to an insect pest such as the corn rootworm are provided. Methods are provided for overexpression of Crw2, or variants thereof, in a host plant or plant cell to increase resistance to an insect pest in a plant such as maize. Methods are also provided for identifying variants of Crw2 that when incorporated into a plant via transgenic or traditional breeding means increase resistance to an insect pest in a plant such as maize. Also provided are methods for increasing resistance by overexpressing Crw1 and Crw2.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increasing a plant's resistance to an insect pest such as the corn rootworm are provided. Methods are provided for overexpression of Crw2, or variants thereof, in a host plant or plant cell to increase resistance to an insect pest in a plant such as maize. Methods are also provided for identifying variants of Crw2 that when incorporated into a plant via transgenic or traditional breeding means increase resistance to an insect pest in a plant such as maize. Also provided are methods for increasing resistance by overexpressing Crw1 and Crw2.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating kidney disease, infectious or inflammatory diseases, acute kidney injury and hypertension by administering a (pro)renin receptor (PRR) antagonist. In some instances the PRR antagonist is a polypeptide. The PRR antagonist can be a polypeptide having at least 70% identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. Also disclosed are methods of decreasing proteinuria and methods of promoting wound healing by administering a PRR antagonist.

Abstract: Brain prorenin and the (pro)renin receptor (PRR) have a functional role in the development of hypertension. The present disclosure presents functional PRR antagonistic peptides (e.g., PR10, PR20, PR30, and PR40). In addition, modified peptides comprising one or more thioether-bridges that are stable and strong PRR antagonists are also provided. Methods for treating and preventing hypertension, including neurogenic hypertension, and diabetes with a PRR antagonist are also provided.