The frequency of alpha 2-adrenoceptor restriction fragment length polymorphisms in normotensive and hypertensive humans.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the frequency of distribution of allelic polymorphisms of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor gene in normotensive and hypertensive humans.


METHODS
The frequency of alpha 2-adrenoceptor genotypes was compared in the two groups using the chi 2-test.


METHODS
The Midwest Hypertension Research Center Outpatient Clinic of Creighton University School of Medicine.


METHODS
History was taken from and physical examination performed on each of the 60 hypertensive and 47 normotensive adults.


METHODS
DNA was extracted from leukocytes from each participants. Twenty restriction endonucleases were used and one restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was found using a 950-bp restriction fragment from the coding region of the human platelet alpha 2-adrenoceptor gene (ADRA2R) and Bsu36I restriction endonuclease. This probe and Bsu36I restriction endonuclease, in addition to another restriction endonuclease (Dra I), were then used in the study.


RESULTS
Three genotype patterns were found. Homozygotes for the Bsu36I RFLP have either a unique 12-kb or a unique 5.8-kb band. Heterozygotes have both bands. The frequency of this alpha 2-adrenoceptor RFLP was calculated. In hypertensives the frequencies of the 12- and 5.8-kb alleles were 0.52 and 0.48, compared with 0.45 and 0.55, respectively, in normotensive, a difference that was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of the Bsu36I RFLP involving an alpha 2-adrenoceptor gene in hypertensives did not differ significantly from that in normotensives. A genetic linkage study is now under way to test for an association of the Bsu36I RFLP of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor gene with essential hypertension in families.
Midwest Hypertension Research Institute, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68131.
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Sun
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Schulte
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Pettinger
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Regan
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Pettinger
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000235:genetics*; D012016:Reference Values
D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D004247:DNA