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.

  • Article
  • Published:

Association of uncoupling protein gene polymorphisms with essential hypertension in a northeastern Han Chinese population

Abstract

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) belong to the family of mitochondrial transporter proteins and mediate regulated proton leak across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The UCPs play an important role in energy homeostasis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) release, and have been established as candidate genes for obesity, diabetes and hypertension. This study examined the possible association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of UCP1–3 genes and essential hypertension (EH) in a northeastern Han Chinese population. A total of 2207 Chinese Han subjects were enrolled, including 1045 normotensives and 1162 hypertensives. Genotyping of UCP1 rs1800592, UCP1 rs12502572, UCP2 rs659366, UCP2 rs660339, and UCP3 rs3781907 was detected using Sequenom MassArray System. SHEsis was used to analyze linkage disequilibrium and haplotype. No evident association was observed between the genotype distributions and allele frequencies of individual SNPs and EH. Haplotype analysis showed the haplotype GAATA (rs1800592-rs12502572-rs659366-rs660339-rs3781907) was significantly associated with lower EH risk (p = 0.001, χ2 = 10.861, OR = 0.634, 95% CI = 0.483–0.833), and AGATG was associated with increased EH risk (p = 0.012, χ2 = 6.287, OR = 1.265, 95% CI = 1.052–1.521). These findings suggest haplotypes of UCP1–3 genes are linked to EH risk in a northeastern Han Chinese population. Further investigation with larger sample size in multiethnic population is needed to confirm our results.

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

Access options

Buy this article

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

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Coy V. Genetics of essential hypertension. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2005;17:219–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Brito R, Castillo G, Gonzalez J, Valls N, Rodrigo R. Oxidative stress in hypertension: mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2015;123:325–35.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Dalgaard LT, Pedersen O. Uncoupling proteins: functional characteristics and role in the pathogenesis of obesity and Type II diabetes. Diabetologia. 2001;44:946–65.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Pierelli G, Stanzione R, Forte M, Migliarino S, Perelli M, Volpe M, et al. Uncoupling protein 2: a key player and a potential therapeutic target in vascular diseases. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:7348372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Ricquier D, Bouillaud F. The uncoupling protein homologues: UCP1, UCP2, UCP3, StUCP and AtUCP. Biochem J. 2000;345:161–79.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Klaus S, Casteilla L, Bouillaud F, Ricquier D. The uncoupling protein UCP: a membraneous mitochondrial ion carrier exclusively expressed in brown adipose tissue. Int J Biochem. 1991;23:791–801.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Richard D, Rivest R, Huang Q, Bouillaud F, Sanchis D, Champigny O, et al. Distribution of the uncoupling protein 2 mRNA in the mouse brain. J Comp Neurol. 1998;397:549–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ricquier D. Respiration uncoupling and metabolism in the control of energy expenditure. Proc Nutr Soc. 2005;64:47–52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Vidal-Puig A, Solanes G, Grujic D, Flier JS, Lowell BB. UCP3: an uncoupling protein homologue expressed preferentially and abundantly in skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1997;235:79–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Pi J, Bai Y, Daniel KW, Liu D, Lyght O, Edelstein D, et al. Persistent oxidative stress due to absence of uncoupling protein 2 associated with impaired pancreatic beta-cell function. Endocrinology. 2009;150:3040–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ma S, Ma L, Yang D, Luo Z, Hao X, Liu D, et al. Uncoupling protein 2 ablation exacerbates high-salt intake-induced vascular dysfunction. Am J Hypertens. 2010;23:822–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Ma S, Zhang Y, Wang Q, Yang D, Li D, Tang B, et al. Ablation of uncoupling protein 2 exacerbates salt-induced cardiovascular and renal remodeling associated with enhanced oxidative stress. Int J Cardiol. 2014;175:206–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Ma S, Wang Q, Zhang Y, Yang D, Li D, Tang B, et al. Transgenic overexpression of uncoupling protein 2 attenuates salt-induced vascular dysfunction by inhibition of oxidative stress. Am J Hypertens. 2014;27:345–54.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Chan SH, Wu CA, Wu KL, Ho YH, Chang AY, Chan JY. Transcriptional upregulation of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 protects against oxidative stress-associated neurogenic hypertension. Circ Res. 2009;105:886–96.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Sun F, He N, Zhang K, Wu N, Zhao J, Qiu C. Association of ACE gene A2350G and I/D polymorphisms with essential hypertension in the northernmost province of China. Clin Exp Hypertens. 2018;40:32–38.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Crispim D, Fagundes NJ, dos Santos KG, Rheinheimer J, Boucas AP, de Souza BM, et al. Polymorphisms of the UCP2 gene are associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2010;72:612–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Esterbauer H, Oberkofler H, Liu YM, Breban D, Hell E, Krempler F, et al. Uncoupling protein-1 mRNA expression in obese human subjects: the role of sequence variations at the uncoupling protein-1 gene locus. J Lipid Res. 1998;39:834–44.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Brondani LA, de Souza BM, Duarte GC, Kliemann LM, Esteves JF, Marcon AS, et al. The UCP1 -3826A/G polymorphism is associated with diabetic retinopathy and increased UCP1 and MnSOD2 gene expression in human retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:7449–57.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Li X, Liu J, Wang G, Yu J, Sheng Y, Wang C, et al. Determination of UCP1 expression in subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissues of patients with hypertension. Endocrine. 2015;50:413–23.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Kotani K, Sakane N, Saiga K, Tsuzaki K, Shimohiro H, Tabata M, et al. The uncoupling protein-1 gene -3826A/G polymorphism and hypertension in Japanese subjects. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2007;45:1186–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Dhall M, Chaturvedi MM, Rai U, Kapoor S. Sex-dependent effects of the UCP1 -3826 A/G polymorphism on obesity and blood pressure. Ethn Dis. 2012;22:181–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Jia JJ, Zhang X, Ge CR, Jois M. The polymorphisms of UCP2 and UCP3 genes associated with fat metabolism, obesity and diabetes. Obes Rev. 2009;10:519–26.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Salopuro T, Pulkkinen L, Lindstrom J, Kolehmainen M, Tolppanen AM, Eriksson JG, et al. Variation in the UCP2 and UCP3 genes associates with abdominal obesity and serum lipids: the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study. BMC Med Genet. 2009;10:94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. de Souza BM, Brondani LA, Boucas AP, Sortica DA, Kramer CK, Canani LH, et al. Associations between UCP1 -3826A/G, UCP2 -866G/A, Ala55Val and Ins/Del, and UCP3 -55C/T polymorphisms and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus: case-control study and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 2013;8:e54259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Brondani LA, Assmann TS, de Souza BM, Boucas AP, Canani LH, Crispim D. Meta-analysis reveals the association of common variants in the uncoupling protein (UCP) 1-3 genes with body mass index variability. PLoS ONE. 2014;9:e96411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Gul A, Ates O, Ozer S, Kasap T, Ensari E, Demir O, et al. Role of the polymorphisms of uncoupling protein genes in childhood obesity and their association with obesity-related disturbances. Genet Test Mol Biomark. 2017;21:531–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Su M, Chen X, Chen Y, Wang C, Li S, Ying X, et al. UCP2 and UCP3 variants and gene-environment interaction associated with prediabetes and T2DM in a rural population: a case control study in China. BMC Med Genet. 2018;19:43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Ji Q, Ikegami H, Fujisawa T, Kawabata Y, Ono M, Nishino M, et al. A common polymorphism of uncoupling protein 2 gene is associated with hypertension. J Hypertens. 2004;22:97–102.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Tian XY, Wong WT, Xu A, Lu Y, Zhang Y, Wang L, et al. Uncoupling protein-2 protects endothelial function in diet-induced obese mice. Circ Res. 2012;110:1211–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Schrauwen P, Xia J, Walder K, Snitker S, Ravussin E. A novel polymorphism in the proximal UCP3 promoter region: effect on skeletal muscle UCP3 mRNA expression and obesity in male non-diabetic Pima Indians. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1999;23:1242–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Xu YP, Liang L, Wang CL, Fu JF, Liu PN, Lv LQ, et al. Association between UCP3 gene polymorphisms and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Chinese children. World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19:5897–903.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Dato S, De Rango F, Crocco P, Passarino G, Rose G. Pleiotropic effects of UCP2-UCP3 variability on leucocyte telomere length and glucose homeostasis. Biogerontology. 2017;18:347–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Hsu YH, Niu T, Song Y, Tinker L, Kuller LH, Liu S. Genetic variants in the UCP2-UCP3 gene cluster and risk of diabetes in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study. Diabetes. 2008;57:1101–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Ochoa MC, Santos JL, Azcona C, Moreno-Aliaga MJ, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Martinez JA, et al. Association between obesity and insulin resistance with UCP2-UCP3 gene variants in Spanish children and adolescents. Mol Genet Metab. 2007;92:351–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, China [grant number 12531817].

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Zhi-Hui Deng or Chang-Chun Qiu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Supplementary information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sun, H., Zhang, JT., Xie, XR. et al. Association of uncoupling protein gene polymorphisms with essential hypertension in a northeastern Han Chinese population. J Hum Hypertens 33, 524–530 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-018-0141-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-018-0141-3

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links