• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2009

urpose : The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been demonstrated to play a major role in regulating blood pressure. Therefore, components of the RAS are likely candidate genes that may predispose an individual to essential hypertension and cardiovascular complications. Among them, the M235T polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene has been speculated to be associated with elevated circulating angiotensinogen concentrations and essential hypertension. This study aimed to analyze the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism in hypertensive adolescents and investigate its relationship with cardiovascular risks. Methods : Forty Korean hypertensive adolescents (aged 16-17, systolic $BP{\geq}140 mmHg$ and/or diastolic $BP{\geq}90 mmHg$) and fifty seven normal adolescents were included. Obesity index (OI), body mass index (BMI) were calculated. BP was measured by oscillometric methods in resting state. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was performed on DNA from the hypertensives subjects to analyze the M235T polymorphism. Serum homocysteine, insulin, renin, aldosterone and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) were tested according to each genotype. The carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid artery diameter, Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were measured according to each genotype. Results : Genotype frequencies of T/T, M/T and M/M were 62.5%, 35.0%, 2.5%, respectively in hypertensive adolescents. The results were not significantly different compared to control group. Serum insulin, renin levels, BMI and OI were significantly higher in thoses with the M/M genotype as compared to those with the T/T of M/T genotype. Conclusion : This study showed that the M235T polymorphism was not associated with essential hypertension or any cardiovascular risks. Further clinical research is required to ascertain the relationship between this polymorphism and cardiovascular complications in Korean hypertensive adolescents.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2005

Purpose : The long term disease course and prognostic factors were evaluated in childhood Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ puruura nephritis(HSPN). Methods : A total of 75 children(44 boys and 31 girls) with HSPN were included in this study. The onset age was $8.0{\pm}3.1$ years(2.3-l5.3 years), and the follow-up period was $4.3{\pm}3.6$ years(1.0-17.1 years). Kidney biopsy was done in 24 children(32$\%$). Initial clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated. In addition, polymorphisms of the renin angiotensin system(RAS) genes(insertion/deletion in intron 16 of ACE gene, M235T in AGT gene, and A1166C in AGTR gene) were analysed. The initial and last clinical states were classified into 4 groups as follows A, normal; B, minor urinary abnormalities; C, active renal disease (nephrotic-range proteinuria and/or hypertension with serum creatinine $\leq$1.5 mg/dL); D, renal insufficiency. Results : At the onset, the clinical states of the patients were B in 26(35$\%$), C in 46(61$\%$), and D, in 3(4$\%$). The distribution of the RAS gene polymorphism of HSPN were not different from that of 100 healthy control subjects. At the last follow-up, the clinical states of the patients were A in 23(31$\%$), B in 38(50$\%$), C in 9(12$\%$), and D in 5(7$\%$). A multiple logistic regression identified age at the onset and initial urine protein excretion as significant prognostic factors. Analysis of genotypes of the 3 RAS genes as prognostic values revealed no statistical significance. Conclusion : Older age at onset and severe proteinuria were identified as poor prognostic factors of childhood HSPN. Implication of the RAS gene polymorphism In HSPN could not be validated in this small-scale retrospective study. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:183-192)

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1325-1335
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• 2013

Working dogs, such as rescue dogs, military watch dogs, guide dogs, and search dogs, are selected by in-training examination of desired traits, including concentration, possessiveness, and boldness. In recent years, genetic information has been considered to be an important factor for the outstanding abilities of working dogs. To characterize the molecular features of the canine genes related to phenotypes for working dogs, we investigated the 24 previously reported genes (AR, BDNF, DAT, DBH, DGCR2, DRD4, MAOA, MAOB, SLC6A4, TH, TPH2, IFT88, KCNA3, TBR2, TRKB, ACE, GNB1, MSTN, PLCL1, SLC25A22, WFIKKN2, APOE, GRIN2B, and PIK3CG) that were categorized to personality, olfactory sense, and athletic/learning ability. We analyzed the chromosomal location, gene-gene interactions, Gene Ontology, and expression patterns of these genes using bioinformatic tools. In addition, variable numbers of tandem repeat (VNTR) or microsatellite (MS) polymorphism in the AR, MAOA, MAOB, TH, DAT, DBH, and DRD4 genes were reviewed. Taken together, we suggest that the genetic background of the canine genes associated with various working dog behaviors and skill performance attributes could be used for proper selection of superior working dogs.