Molecular genetics: and ACE for hypertension

Article Abstract:

Most medical researchers believe that high blood pressure (hypertension) is a complex trait that arises from the interplay of a wide variety of genetic and environmental factors. Hypertension is a common problem; in many industrialized countries about one quarter of all adults have this significant risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Hypertension may result from different causes in different people. For example, some people appear genetically susceptible to hypertension induced by excess sodium intake, while others can consume large amounts of dietary salt without developing a problem. This heterogeneity of hypertension among people makes it especially difficult to identify the various causes of hypertension from the data on human patients. Much research with large numbers of subjects has concentrated on rats, in which the contribution of genetics to hypertension has been examined. Researchers have identified two genes that figure prominently in the development of hypertension in a strain of rats that is spontaneously prone to strokes. One of these genes, BP/SP-1, appears to be located in the same region as rat chromosome 10 as is the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). It is not yet certain that BP/SP-1 and the ACE gene are identical; additional research using techniques of molecular biology will be required to verify this. The involvement of the ACE gene seems very plausible because of the important role played by ACE in the regulation of blood pressure. Furthermore, in some human patients, inhibitors of ACE have been very effective in lowering blood pressure. However, enthusiasm for these genetic findings should be tempered. In the past, attempts to find the genetic basis for complex diseases have proven to be more difficult than initially anticipated by researchers. In some disorders, one gene accounts for much of the observed variability in the trait of interest. However, genetic research becomes more complex when several genes contribute to a trait, which may be the case in hypertension. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Editorial, Hypertension, Genetic aspects, Angiotensin converting enzyme

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Phylogenetic analyses do not support horizontal gene transfers from bacteria to vertebrates

Article Abstract:

A phylogenetic analysis of 28 proposed horizontal gene transfer genes is presented. Most of the analyses and phylogenetic topologies support the view that vertebrates and bacteria share these loci through common ancestry, in the form of a succession of non-vertebrate eukaryote intermediates.

Phylogeny

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Use your neighbour's genes

Article Abstract:

A report of the complete genome sequence of Thermoplasma acidophilum, which survives in acids registering pH 0.5, is discussed.

Microorganisms

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