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Review of the Y chromosome, Sry and hypertension - PubMed

Review

Review of the Y chromosome, Sry and hypertension

Daniel Ely et al. Steroids. 2010 Nov.

Abstract

The following review examines the role of the SHR Y chromosome and specifically the Sry gene complex in hypertension and potential mechanisms that involve the sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin system. There are consistent gender differences in hypertension, with a greater proportion of males affected than females in most mammalian populations. Our earlier studies demonstrated that a portion of the gender differences in blood pressure (BP) in the SHR rat mapped to the SHR Y chromosome. In rats, males with the SHR Y chromosome have higher BP than females, or males with a different Y chromosome. Consistent with these results, several human population studies have confirmed a Y chromosome effect on BP. Our more recent studies focus on a transcription factor, Sry, as the locus involved in not only BP modulation but effects on other phenotypes. The Sry locus is an evolutionarily conserved locus on the mammalian Y chromosome responsible for testis determination and is a transcription factor. The Sry locus contains a highly conserved High Mobility Group (HMG) box region responsible for DNA binding. Mutations in the HMG box result in sex reversal. We have found multiple functional copies of Sry in SHR and WKY male rats. There is abundant evidence that testes determination may not be Sry's only function as it is expressed in the brain, kidney and adrenal gland of adult males. These findings have potential implications for gender physiology research which involves, the sympathetic nervous system, renin-angiotensin system, androgen receptor regulation and prostate physiology.

Copyright 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1

Myc antibody was used to detect Sry3BI/Myc proteins in tissue lysates of female rats 5 days after gene delivery. Lanes 1–5: Sry3BI/Myc was introduced via the saphenous vein. Lane 1, kidney, lanes 2, 3 lung, Lanes 4, 5, liver, Lanes 6 and 7: Sry3BI/Myc electroporated into the kidney.

Figure 2
Figure 2

Telemetered blood pressure before Sry gene delivery and through 28 days after Sry electroporation into the left kidney of WKY male rats (n=6–8/group, means, +/− s.e.m., p<0.05 for Sry1 and Sry3 compared to controls or Sry2, ANOVA).

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