THE RENIN GENE AND ALDOSTERONE-PRODUCING ADENOMAS

The renin gene and aldosterone-producing adenomas. Approximately one h alf of the aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) removed from patients with primary aldosteronism in the Hypertension Unit at Greenslopes Hos pital belong to a subgroup in which aldosterone levels are responsive to the renin-angiotensin system (angiotensin-responsive APA; AII-R-APA ), unlike classical APAs in which aldosterone is unresponsive (AII-U-A PA). Renin mRNA levels in AII-R-APA were elevated when compared with t hose in AII-U-APA or normal adrenal cortices. Renin mRNA levels in som e adrenal cortices surrounding AII-R-APA (but never in AII-U-APA) were raised, suggesting that a genetic defect is not confined to the tumor . Renin gene RFLP analysis in peripheral blood DNA revealed a signific ant difference in allelic frequencies between patients with AII-R-APA and AII-U-APA, suggesting an association between an alteration in the renin gene and aldosterone responsiveness to the renin-angiotensin sys tem in patients with APAs.