Electrolytes & Blood Pressure  2016;14(2):21-26

doi:10.5049/EBP.2016.14.2.21

Genetic Variations of Tyrosine Hydroxylase in the Pathogenesis of Hypertension.

Yu Ho LEE 1 ; Yang Gyun KIM ; Ju Young MOON ; Jin Sug KIM ; Kyung Hwan JEONG ; Tae Won LEE ; Chun Gyoo IHM ; Sang Ho LEE

Affiliations

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Keywords

Tyrosine hydroxylase; Hypertension; Single nucleotide polymorphism

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

One of the major pathophysiological features of primary hypertension is an inappropriate activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which is mediated by excessive synthesis and secretion of catecholamine into the blood. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of catecholamine, has been highlighted because genetic variations of TH could alter the activity of the sympathetic nervous system activity and subsequently contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Here, we discuss the role of TH as a regulator of sympathetic activity and review several studies that investigated the relationship between genetic variations of TH and hypertension.