Effect of Gene Variants on Dopamine Receptor Natriuretic Responses

Summary

Hypothesis to be tested: Dopamine D1-like receptor-induced natriuresis is impaired in humans with G protein-related kinase 4 gene variants. Our research group has discovered a D1 receptor/adenylyl cyclase coupling defect in renal PTCs from subjects with essential hypertension. We have found increased GRK-4 activity in renal PTCs in human essential hypertension due to activating variants of GRK-4, an effect that was reproduced in a transfected cell model. Preventing the translation of GRK-4 normalized the coupling of the D1 receptor to adenylyl cyclase in hypertension. Gene variants of GRK-4 cause a ligand-independent serine-phosphorylation of the D1 receptor, resulting in its uncoupling from the G-protein/effector complex. The desensitization of the D1 receptor in the renal PTC is hypothesized to be the cause of the compromised natriuretic effect of DA that eventually leads to Na+ retention and hypertension. The primary objective of this protocol is to demonstrate that natriuresis engendered by D1-like receptor activation with fenoldopam is blunted in subjects with 3 or more SNPs of GRK-4 compared with responses in subjects with 0-2 SNPs.

Timeline

Start

2007-06

Primary completion

2008-03

Completion

2013-06

Drugs

Indications