Genetic analysis of renin gene expression in the central nervous system of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Renin expression in the central nervous system in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) has been reported to be higher than that in age-matched Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats. In the present study, we examined the mechanisms of enhancement of renin mRNA concentration in the brainstem of SHR using F 2 hybrid rats derived from cross-breeding SHR with WKY. The SHR allele of the renin gene was significantly associated with higher brain renin mRNA concentration in both 10- and 24-week-old F 2 populations. However, neither the genotype of the renin gene nor the brain renin mRNA concentration was associated with blood pressure or urinary volume. Thus, the higher renin mRNA concentration in the brainstem of SHR was indicated to be genetically determined by the genotype of the renin gene. Further study is required to clarify the pathophysiological meaning of this increased renin expression in the brain of SHR.