Renin-angiotensin system genes as candidate genes in cardiovascular diseases

Through binding to its specific receptors, the peptide hormone angiotensin II (Ang II) has multiple actions. Among them, its ability to regulate smooth muscle cell contractility and growth, as well as sodium and water homeostasis, making Ang II a major hormone of the cardiovascular system. Polymorphic variations, affecting the function of the expression of the genes involved in Ang II generation or action, may be the basis for particular genetic predisposition to cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension or myocardial infarction. This hypothesis is now being tested by the use of informative DNA markers on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) genes in genetic studies involving animal models or collections of patients affected by the disease. Results available on the RAS genes are presented here together with the future extensions of the strategy for identifying genes that predispose patients to common cardiovascular diseases.