Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Author Spotlight: Genetic Profiling for Fluorouracil Response in Gastric Cancer
06:21

Author Spotlight: Genetic Profiling for Fluorouracil Response in Gastric Cancer

Published on: May 10, 2024

679

No Association Between AGT Gene Polymorphisms with Hypertension in a South African Population

Jyoti Rajan Sharma1, Hannah Fokkens1,2, Ria Laubscher3

  • 1Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity : Targets and Therapy
|May 6, 2024
PubMed

Insights

This study found no significant association between specific angiotensinogen (AGT) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and hypertension in the isiXhosa-speaking population of South Africa. Further research is needed to explore other genetic factors contributing to hypertension risk in this group.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
  • Population Health

Background:

  • Hypertension is a major global health concern, driving cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
  • Increasing prevalence of hypertension is observed in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Genetic factors, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene, are implicated in hypertension development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between specific AGT gene SNPs (rs2004776, rs3789678, rs5051, and rs7079) and hypertension.
  • To examine these genetic associations in an isiXhosa-speaking population from South Africa's Eastern Cape Province.
  • To address the limited existing research on AGT gene polymorphisms and hypertension in South African populations.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study design was employed.
  • Genotyping of selected AGT SNPs was performed using TaqMan assays.
  • The study included 250 hypertensive cases and 237 normotensive controls.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant differences in genotypic or allelic frequencies were found for rs2004776, rs3789678, rs5051, and rs7079 between hypertensive cases and normotensive controls.
  • Specific p-values and chi-squared values indicated no association for each tested SNP.
  • The study found no significant association between the investigated AGT SNPs and hypertension in the studied isiXhosa-speaking population.

Conclusions:

  • AGT gene polymorphisms do not appear to be associated with hypertension development in this specific South African population.
  • This study provides the first genetic report on AGT gene polymorphisms and hypertension in an isiXhosa-speaking South African cohort.
  • Further genetic investigations may be necessary to identify other contributing factors to hypertension in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
ACEAGTgenehypertensionpolymorphism

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exploring Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction as an Antihypertensive Drug05:57

Author Spotlight: Exploring Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction as an Antihypertensive Drug

Published on: May 17, 2024

721
Assessing Murine Resistance Artery Function Using Pressure Myography07:25

Assessing Murine Resistance Artery Function Using Pressure Myography

Published on: June 7, 2013

22.1K

Related Concept Videos

Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS01:11

Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS

Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
13.3K
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers01:30

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

In the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a hormone called angiotensin II plays a crucial role. It binds to the AT1 receptors in vascular smooth muscles coupled with Gq proteins. The activation of these receptors activates an enzyme called phospholipase C, which releases two molecules: inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. These molecules cause a chain reaction that leads to the phosphorylation of myosin light chains and promotes interaction between actin and myosin, leading to smooth...
715
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors01:30

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a vital component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is abundant in lung endothelial cells. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide, angiotensin I, into the active octapeptide, angiotensin II. This potent vasoconstrictor narrows blood vessels, increasing resistance to blood flow and elevating blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone production, encouraging kidney cells to reabsorb more sodium and water from urine, thereby increasing...
620
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs01:05

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs

A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
15.0K
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
561
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
2.1K