Genetic analysis of the angiotensinogen gene in pre-eclampsia: study of german women and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene on the individual predisposition to pre-eclampsia, we screened the AGT gene for pathogenic mutations and an association of identified polymorphisms in German women with pre-eclampsia.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 67 German primi- and multigravid patients with pre-eclampsia or superimposed pre-eclampsia and 100 controls with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. The initial screening for mutations was carried out in a subgroup of pre-eclampsia patients by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing.


RESULTS
Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected, of which 14 had been described before. Allelic frequencies of the detected SNPs were estimated in the total study population. Only the promoter polymorphism g.-570C>T was associated with pre-eclampsia (p = 0.038) but after adjustment for multiple testing p was >0.05. The well-known M268T [M235T] polymorphism was not associated with pre-eclampsia.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results do not indicate an association of the AGT gene with pre-eclampsia. Data from previously published studies are conflicting: positive results were reported in at least 4 studies, negative results in 10 studies. A possible influence, if existing at all, is obviously very small. AGT therefore does not play a major role in the etiology of pre-eclampsia.
Knyrim
Elke
E
Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
Muetze
Sabine
S
Eggermann
Thomas
T
Rudnik-Schoeneborn
Sabine
S
Lindt
Ria
R
Ortlepp
Jan R
JR
Rath
Werner
W
Zerres
Klaus
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D000808:Angiotensinogen / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
D000808:Angiotensinogen; D004247:DNA