Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D genotype and renal ACE gene expression.
BACKGROUND
The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D genotype affects serum ACE levels and the onset and progression of renal disease, but little is known about the mechanism. We investigated a possible association between the ACE I/D genotype and renal ACE mRNA levels in healthy subjects.


METHODS
Renal biopsy samples were obtained from 50 healthy kidney donors. The ACE I/D genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Renal ACE mRNA quantification was performed by competitive RNA-PCR. In situ hybridization (ISH) for ACE mRNA on renal biopsy specimens was also performed.


RESULTS
The number of ACE transcripts in 100 ng of total RNA was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in subjects with II genotype (5.6 +/- 5.3 x 10(5), N = 20) compared with those with the ID (17.9 +/- 13.6 x 10(5), N = 23) or the DD genotype (36.9 +/- 14.6 x 10(5), N = 7) in healthy donors. The ISH studies showed that both tubular and glomerular ACE mRNA expressions were weak in subjects with the II genotype, intermediate in subjects with ID genotype, and strong in subjects with DD genotype.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that renal ACE gene expression is associated with the ACE I/D genotype in healthy Japanese subjects.
Mizuiri
S
S
Department of Nephrology, Toho University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. sm210@med.toho-u.ac.jp
Hemmi
H
H
Kumanomidou
H
H
Iwamoto
M
M
Miyagi
M
M
Sakai
K
K
Aikawa
A
A
Ohara
T
T
Yamada
K
K
Shimatake
H
H
Hasegawa
A
A
D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007564:Japan / Q000208:ethnology; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000201:enzymology; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014019:Tissue Donors
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A