Genetic markers in essential hypertension

Essential hypertension (HTA) is a multifactorial disease and in Chile, its prevalence is 33.7%. There is a genetic predisposition to develop hypertension, whose magnitude is approximately 30 to 50%. At present, some factors are known to increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, but widely accepted biomarkers for screening are missing. The first studies that looked for candidate genes have focused on the renin-angiotensin - aldosterone, aducina, adrenoreceptors beta, G protein subunits, G protein signaling regulators, kinases associated with G proteins and Rho kinases. Studies of DNA sequencing, search for polymorphisms and variants through single nucleotide polymorphisms, have been used to seek partnerships with complex or multifactorial diseases, like HTA. Examples of these are: components of collagen proteins, genes related to cell myocardial proteins belonging to cytochrome P450 and growth factors, among others. It is still unlikely to count in a near future with a universal marker. Most probably, a series of markers that confer susceptibility to a specific individual will have to be used in prevention programs or personalized therapy (Rev Med Chile 2010; 138: 767-772).