A novel hypertension related calcium regulated gene (hcarg)

摘要

This invention relates to a novel gene that shows tissue specific expression and increased expression in a low calcium concentration medium. Low renin hypertension is characterized by decreased levels of serum ionized calcium in the presence of increased levels of parathyroid hormone. It is hypothesized that hypertensive factor(s) are co-secreted with PTH in SHR, a model of low renin hypertension, the parathyroid hypertensive factor being one of them. This invention identifies the genes differentially expressed in humans and in rat models of low renin hypertension (SHR) and in normotensive rat models (WKY) that are induced by low calcium levels in the parathyroid gland. A cDNA of a human gene and a cDNA of a rat gene expressed in parathyroid cells have been cloned and sequenced with no high score homology found in the gene banks. Their expression is higher in hypertensive models and their expression is enhanced by cell incubation in a low calcium concentration medium. In situ hybridization showed specific expression of the genes in adrenal medula and cortex, proximal tubules and parathyroid gland with very low levels in heart ventricles, kidney medulla and glomeruli and liver. These novel calcium regulated genes show tissue specific expression and increased expression in hypertension.