ASSOCIATION STUDY BETWEEN THE ANF GENE AND HYPERTENSION IN A GULF ARAB POPULATION

We have studied an insertion/deletion (I/D) dimorphism located in the second intron of the human atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) gene among 232 United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationals (112 normotensives and 120 hy pertensives) from the Abu Dhabi Emirate, with a view to evaluating the value of this marker in relation to hypertension. Our findings show t hat genotype frequencies of this I/D marker occur in Hardy-Weinberg pr oportions (respective genotype frequencies in the overall sample popul ation are: II, 51%; ID, 42%; DD, 7%). No association, however, was evi denced between this dimorphic site and clinical diagnosis of essential hypertension. This suggests that: 1) this I/D dimorphism is not a use ful marker to study the relationship between the ANF gene and hyperten sion in the UAE; and 2) variations of the ANF gene that may be in link age disequilibrium with this marker do not play a major role in the de termination of hypertension in this Arab population. (C) 1997 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.