NYMC Faculty Publications

Effect of Dietary Salt Excess on DNA Methylation and Transcriptional Regulation of Human Angiotensinogen Gene Expression

Author Type(s)

Faculty

DOI

10.1093/ajh/hpaf150

Journal Title

American Journal of Hypertension

First Page

74

Last Page

87

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Department

Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology

Keywords

DNA methylation, RNA-Seq analysis, haplotype, hypertension, transcriptional regulation

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Angiotensinogen (AGT) is a component of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which regulates blood pressure. Genome-wide association studies have shown that two A/G polymorphisms (rs2493134 and rs2004776), located at +507 and +1164 in intron I of the human AGT (hAGT) gene, are linked to hypertension. AGT polymorphisms result in two haplotypes, Hap-I a pro-hypertensive, whereas Hap-II is normotensive. Previous studies support the role of epigenetics in blood pressure regulation. In this study, we generated transgenic mice (TG) with hAGT containing Hap-I and Hap-II variants to investigate the effect of high salt diet (HSD) on epigenetics and transcriptional regulation. METHODS: We treated Hap-I and Hap-II TG mice with 4% HSD and identified DNA methylation patterns. We measured hAGT mRNA and protein by qPCR and immunoblot, respectively. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and RNA sequencing were performed. RESULTS: hAGT gene expression is increased by HSD in both Hap-I and Hap-II TG mice. In the liver and kidney, we observed significantly higher DNA demethylation (less CpG's) and stronger binding of transcription factors in the promoter of Hap-I TG mice as compared to Hap-II post HSD. RNA-Seq identified differentially expressed genes, novel target genes, canonical pathways, and upstream regulators associated with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings identified a novel high salt-sensitive risk haplotype, novel CpG sites and DNA methylation patterns, potential gene targets, and pathways implicated in hypertension. Combining epigenetic and transcriptional analysis allows for a more holistic understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that govern the hAGT gene.

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