SERUM LEVEL AND GENE POLYMORPHISM OF ANGIOTENSIN-I CONVERTING-ENZYME IN JAPANESE CHILDREN

The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution of the insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin I converting enzyme (AC E) gene in Japanese children. In addition, the relationship between th is polymorphism and serum ACE levels in the same population were analy zed. Insertion/deletion polymorphism located in intron 16 of the ACE g ene was examined by polymerase chain reaction in Japanese children age d 10-15 years. Allele frequencies were 0.64 for the insertion allele a nd 0.36 for the deletion allele in 122 subjects. No association was fo und between genotypes in this polymorphism and the level of systolic o r diastolic blood pressure. A significant relationship between this po lymorphism and serum ACE activity was observed. These results suggest that interindividual variability of serum ACE level is strongly influe nced by the ACE genotype as early as in childhood.