[The genes of human hypertension]

In the last decade, two types of genes participating in the etiology of hypertension have been identified. The primary genes or blood pressure regulators are those that codify enzymes (renin, kallikrein, kininase, aminopeptidase), hormones (angiotensins, vasopressin, aldosterone, prostaglandins, and atrial natriuretic peptide) and substrates (angiotensinogen and kininogen). They cause arteriolar vasodilation or vasoconstriction or sodium retention in the extravascular space. Allelic polymorphisms associated to essential hypertension have been described. The secondary genes are those that produce hereditary diseases of low prevalence, associated to hypertension in 20 to 80% of patients (polycystic kidney disease, pheochromocytoma, adrenal hyperplasia, hereditary nephritis). Forty genes located in all chromosomes, that are dominantly, recessively or X-linked transmitted, have thus far been identified. Chromosomal maps with all genic loci are presented.