Introduction: Polymorphisms in genes coding G-protein subunits (α, β, and γ) may affect the response of stimulated α2A-adrenergic receptors, which are involved in the regulation of blood pressure. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to determine the association between the rs11559300 (A/G), rs199705300 (C/A), rs61754630 (C/T), rs13093 (C/A), and rs41284589 (C/T) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the gene coding G-protein γ5 subunit (GNG5) and the risk of essential hypertension in the population of Poland.
Patients and methods: A total number of 838 subjects were included in the study: 536 patients with diagnosed essential hypertension and 302 controls. Genotyping was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.
Results: Of the studied GNG5 polymorphisms, only SNP rs13093 was significantly associated with an increased risk of essential hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 2.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68-5.05; P = 0.0036). In addition, the T allele of rs41284589 may protect against hypertriglyceridemia (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.1-0.9).
Conclusions: rs13093 in the promoter region of GNG5 may be associated with an increased risk of essential hypertension in the Polish population. Further studies are needed to explain the molecular mechanism by which rs13093 affects blood pressure.