Dissecting hypertension: the role of the 'new genetics'.
The tools of molecular genetics have recently been applied to hypertension, a common multifactorial disorder, with some success. Glucocorticoid-suppressible hyperaldosteronism, an inherited form of human hypertension due to the dominant inheritance of a chimaeric steroid 11 beta-hydroxylase/aldosterone synthase gene, has given an insight into the possible genetic factors involved in essential hypertension. Study of the aldosterone synthase and steroid 11 beta-hydroxylase genes has shown the presence of polymorphisms in both of these genes in human subjects; further studies may demonstrate genetic mutations with pathophysiological effects in patients with essential hypertension.
Jamieson
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Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Gardiner Institute, Glasgow.
D019405:Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D006801:Humans; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics
D003907:Dexamethasone; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D019405:Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase