Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Research Letter
  • Published:

Influence of the G-protein β-3 subunit gene C825 T polymorphism on the clinical phenotype of newly diagnosed essential hypertension

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 21, pages 421–423 (2007)Cite this article

This study examined whether the G-protein polymorphism (GNB3-C825 T) predicts clinical phenotypes in untreated hypertensive subjects. GNB3 genotype had no influence on age at presentation, hypertension severity, arterial stiffness, microalbuminuria or renin–aldosterone axis activation. However, the T allele was associated with significantly lower potassium, higher plasma bicarbonate and higher urinary potassium excretion, with a gene-dose effect.

The genetic basis of essential hypertension remains poorly understood. A polymorphism in the heterotrimeric G-protein (GNB3-C825 T) gene has shown promise as a potential risk factor for essential hypertension.1 This polymorphism produces a splice variant of the β-3 subunit, which is associated with alterations in G-protein signaling2 and activity of the sodium hydrogen exchanger.3 The T allele has been associated with hypertension in Caucasian populations in a number of large, independent, case–control and cross-sectional studies (odds ratio 1.3–1.8), although with inconsistent results.1, 4 Recent data suggest that the T allele may be associated with specific phenotypes, such as low-renin,5 altered electrolyte homeostasis,6 obesity, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome.1

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Siffert W . G protein polymorphisms in hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. Annu Rev Med 2005; 56: 17–28.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Siffert W, Rosskopf D, Siffert G, Busch S, Moritz A, Erbel R et al. Association of a human G-protein beta3 subunit variant with hypertension. Nat Genet 1998; 18: 45–48.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Zhu H, Wang X, Lu Y, Poola J, Momin Z, Harshfield GA et al. Update on G-protein polymorphisms in hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep 2006; 8: 23–29.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Renner W, Hoffmann MM, Grunbacher G, Winkelmann BR, Boehm BO, Marz W . G-protein beta3 subunit (GNB3) gene polymorphisms and cardiovascular disease: The Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study. Atherosclerosis (in press).

  5. Schunkert H, Hense HW, Doring A, Riegger GA, Siffert W . Association between a polymorphism in the G protein beta3 subunit gene and lower renin and elevated diastolic blood pressure levels. Hypertension 1998; 32: 510–513.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Martin DN, Andreu EP, Ramirez LR, Garcia-Junco PS, Vallejo MI, Santos RA et al. G-protein beta-3 subunit gene C825 T polymorphism: influence on plasma sodium and potassium concentrations in essential hypertensive patients. Life Sci 2005; 77: 2879–2886.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Expert Panel on Detection Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive Summary of The Third Report of The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, And Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol In Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA 2001; 285: 2486–2497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Mahmud A, Feely J . Arterial stiffness is related to systemic inflammation in essential hypertension. Hypertension 2005; 46: 1118–1122.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Whitworth JA . 2003 World Health Organization (WHO)/International Society of Hypertension (ISH) statement on management of hypertension. J Hypertens 2003; 21: 1983–1992.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Willum-Hansen T, Staessen JA, Torp-Pedersen C, Rasmussen S, Thijs L, Ibsen H et al. Prognostic value of aortic pulse wave velocity as index of arterial stiffness in the general population. Circulation 2006; 113: 664–670.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Turner ST, Schwartz GL, Chapman AB, Boerwinkle E . C825 T polymorphism of the G protein beta (3)-subunit and antihypertensive response to a thiazide diuretic. Hypertension 2001; 37: 739–743.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Trinity College Dublin Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

    P Jerrard-Dunne, A Mahmud, S Zhou & J Feely

Authors
  1. P Jerrard-Dunne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A Mahmud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J Feely
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P Jerrard-Dunne.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jerrard-Dunne, P., Mahmud, A., Zhou, S. et al. Influence of the G-protein β-3 subunit gene C825 T polymorphism on the clinical phenotype of newly diagnosed essential hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 21, 421–423 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002168

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002168

Search

Advanced search

Quick links