Molecular mechanisms in primary aldosteronism

Abstract

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common form and an under-diagnosed cause of secondary arterial hypertension, accounting for up to 10% of hypertensive cases and associated to increased cardiovascular risk. PA is caused by autonomous overproduction of aldosterone by the adrenal cortex. It is mainly caused by a unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Excess aldosterone leads to arterial hypertension with suppressed renin, frequently associated to hypokalemia. Mutations in genes coding for ion channels and ATPases have been identified in APA, explaining the pathophysiology of increased aldosterone production. Different inherited genetic abnormalities led to the distinction of four forms of familial hyperaldosteronism (type I to IV) and other genetic defects very likely remain to be identified. Somatic mutations are identified in APA, but also in aldosterone-producing cell clusters (APCCs) in normal adrenals, in image-negative unilateral hyperplasia, in transitional lesions and in APCC from adrenals with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH). Whether these structures are precursors of APA or whether somatic mutations occur in a proliferative adrenal cortex, is still a matter of debate. This review will summarize our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms responsible for PA and the recent discovery of new genes related to early-onset and familial forms of the disease. We will also address new issues concerning genomic and proteomic changes in adrenals with APA and discuss adrenal pathophysiology in relation to aldosterone-producing structures in the adrenal cortex.

GENETICS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Impact of race and sex on genetic causes of aldosterone-producing adenomas

“…The affected genes include KCNJ5 (5), ATP1A1 (6), ATP2B3 (6), CACNA1D (7,8), CACNA1H (9), and CLCN2 (10,11). Mutations in these genes mostly stimulate aldosterone production via the activation of the calcium signaling pathway by increasing intracellular calcium levels (12). Aldosterone-driver somatic mutations in these genes have been identified in the majority of APAs (13,14,15,16,17).…”