[DNA analysis in the determination of a predisposition for hypertension]

Angiotensinogen gene belongs to the genes designated as hypertension candidate genes. These genes might participate in development of hypertension. The aim of this work was to establish frequency of the mutant allele M235T on angiotensinogen gene in Slovak population and compare this frequency with that obtained from the group of hypertensive patients. We tested DNA from 120 healthy individuals and 20 hypertensive patients. By polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction analysis we determined frequency of mutant allele M235T in healthy population as well as in the group of hypertensive patients. We have found that frequency of the mutant allele in Slovak population was 0.33, while among hypertensive patients 0.45. Percentage of heterozygosity for M235T allele was 44.5%. Frequency of this mutant allele was significantly higher among women compared to men (0.38 vs. 0.27). Increased frequency of M235T allele among hypertensive patients compared to healthy population confirm that M235T mutation is bound to increased blood pressure. This quick and noninvasive method should help in the future to determine the possible risk of hypertension development. (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 9.)