G protein-related kinase mutants in essential hypertension
AssigneesRobin A. Felder, Pedro Jose
InventorsRobin A. Felder, Pedro Jose
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are methods for identifying individuals predisposed to essential hypertension and related conditions such as salt sensitivity by detecting the presence of polymorphic or mutant forms of the GRK4 gene, or its expression product. Also disclosed are methods for identifying polymorphic or mutant GRK4s in individuals known to be suffering from such conditions, as well as methods and compositions for conducting drug discovery and therapeutic intervention.
Claims25
A method of identifying individuals predisposed to essential hypertension, comprising:
- obtaining a nucleic acid sample from an individual;
- and
- analyzing a nucleic acid encoding GRK4, or a fragment thereof, present in or obtained from said sample for a polymorphism or mutation of GRK4 gene that causes a cell in which the GRK4 gene is expressed not to properly transduce a dopaminergic signal;
- wherein the presence of said polymorphism or mutation of the GRK4 gene is indicative of a predisposition to essential hypertension.
A method for detecting a polymorphism or mutation of a GRK4 gene associated with essential hypertension, comprising:
- obtaining a nucleic acid sample from a hypertensive individual;
- and
- analyzing nucleic acid encoding GRK4 present in or obtained from said sample for the presence of a polymorphic or mutated form of the GRK4 gene.
A method of identifying individuals predisposed to a decreased ability to excrete an acute or chronic sodium load, comprising:
- obtaining a nucleic acid sample from an individual;
- and
- analyzing nucleic acid encoding GRK4 present in or obtained from said sample for the presence of a polymorphism or mutation of GRK4 gene that causes a cell in which the GRK4 gene is expressed not to properly transduce a dopaminergic signal, wherein the presence of a polymorphism or mutation of the GRK4 gene is indicative of a predisposition to a decreased ability to excrete an acute or chronic sodium load.
A method of identifying individuals predisposed to sodium retention or elevated blood pressure, comprising:
- obtaining a nucleic acid sample from an individual;
- and
- analyzing nucleic acid encoding GRK4 present in or obtained from said sample for the presence of a polymorphism or mutation of GRK4 gene that causes a cell in which the GRK4 polymorphism or mutation is expressed not to properly transduce a dopaminergic signal, wherein the presence of a polymorphism or mutation of the GRK4 gene is indicative of a predisposition to sodium retention or elevated blood pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.