Genetic Polymorphisms ofARMC4, LRP4andBCL2Genes are Associated with Blood Pressure Traits and Hypertension in Korean Population

Abstract

High blood pressure (HTN) is a condition in which blood pressure is kept higher than normal. Blood pressure trait measures systolic blood pressure (SBP) which is the highest pressure and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) which is the lowest blood pressure. Pulse pressure (PP) is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Hypertension is known as a disease caused by the interaction of the environment and genetic factors. To date, studies have been conducted to find genes associated with hypertension. Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) analysis using European data from the UK Biobank reported new 535 loci were associated with blood pressure trait. Among them, 12 genes have been reported to have a significant correlation with SBP, DBP and PP. In the study, 12 genes polymorphisms were extracted based on KARE (Korean association resource) and then we performed linear regression of blood pressure trait. As a result, 6 SNPs of the 3 genes (rs12355413 and rs11006736 of ARMC4, rs2290883, rs2290884 and rs11039014 of LRP4, rs7234941 of BCL2) showed statistically significant correlation (P<0.05) with blood pressure trait. Of the 3 genes, 6 SNPs in 2 genes (rs9651357, rs12355413, rs11006736, rs1889522 of ARMC4 and rs4987774, rs7234941 of BCL2) showed significant correlation with hypertension. These results suggest that genetic polymorphisms of ARMC4, LRP4 and BCL2 genes are associated with blood pressure traits and hypertension in Korean population. Moreover, we expected to help understand the pathogenesis of hypertension.