Angiotensin-converting enzyme in the human heart. Effect of the deletion/insertion polymorphism.
BACKGROUND
An insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been associated with differences in the plasma levels of ACE as well as with myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy, and coronary artery disease.


RESULTS
We determined the cardiac ACE activity and the ACE genotype in 71 subjects who died of noncardiac disorders. Cardiac ACE activity was significantly higher (P < .01) in subjects with the ACE DD genotype (12.7 +/- 1.9 mU/g wet wt) compared with subjects with the ID (8.7 +/- 0.8 mU/g) and the II (9.1 +/- 1.0 mU/g) genotypes. This difference was independent of sex, age, and the time required for tissue collection.


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac ACE activity is highest in subjects with the DD genotype. Elevated cardiac ACE activity in these subjects may result in increased cardiac angiotensin II levels, and this may be a mechanism underlying the reported association between the ACE deletion polymorphism and the increased risk for several cardiovascular disorders.
Danser
A H
AH
Cardiovasculair Onderzoeksinstituut Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, COEUR, Erasmus University, Netherlands.
Schalekamp
M A
MA
Bax
W A
WA
van den Brink
A M
AM
Saxena
P R
PR
Riegger
G A
GA
Schunkert
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000201:enzymology*; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A