Hypertension in beta-adducin-deficient mice

Polymorphic variants of the cytoskeletal protein adducin have been associated with hypertension in humans and rats. However, the direct role of this protein in modulating arterial blood pressure has never been demonstrated. To assess the effect of beta-adducin on blood pressure, a beta-adducin-deficient mouse strain (-/-) was studied and compared with wild-type controls (+/+). Aortic blood pressure was measured in nonanesthetized, freely moving animals with the use of telemetry implants. It is important to note that these mice have at least 98% of C57Bl/6 genetic background, with the only difference from wild-type animals being the beta-adducin mutation. We found statistically significant higher levels of systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) (mean+/-SE values: -/-: 126.94+/-1.14, n=5; +/+: 108.06+/-2. 34, n=6; P: