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1st
appeared 14 June 1999
UCSF Team Identifies Gene Crucial to Blood
Pressure Regulation
Researchers from UCSF have identified a gene that is critical in controlling blood
pressure, a finding that could help in developing more effective therapies for
hypertension.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects nearly 60 million American adults and is a
leading cause of kidney failure. If uncontrolled, it also can damage major organs, such as
the heart, brain, and arteries.
The gene, called sgk, mediates the effects of aldosterone, a key hormone for regulating
sodium and water levels throughout the body. A disruption in the balance of these factors
can result in blood pressure problems. The researchers already knew that aldosterone was
essential to maintaining normal blood pressure, but its definitive link with the sgk gene
had not been made.
"Now that we know that sgk mediates aldosterone's effects, we can begin to devise
ways of blocking its action. This holds the promise of providing better treatments for the
millions of people with salt-sensitive hypertension," said David Pearce, UCSF
assistant professor of medicine and cellular and molecular pharmacology, who treats
patients at San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center.
Pearce, who headed the research team, presented the findings Sunday, June 13, at the
annual meeting of The Endocrine Society in San Diego.
Links:
Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology
The Endocrine Society
Source: Corinna Kaarlela, News
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