Choline acetyltransferase as a therapy for hypertension

A method of reducing systemic hypertension in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) protein or a ChAT protein conjugated to polyethylene glycol (PEG) in an amount and manner effective to reduce systemic hypertension in a subject,

• wherein the subject is an adult human 18 years or older who prior to administration of ChAT protein or PEGylated ChAT protein had a resting systolic blood pressure at or above 130 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure at or above 80 mmHg, and
• wherein administration of ChAT protein or PEGylated ChAT protein is effective to reduce systolic blood pressure by 10-40 mmHg.