According to researchers, the phosducin gene could be to blame for high blood pressure due to stressful situations. The researchers have identified a role for the protein generated by the phosducin gene in modulating blood pressure in response to stress in both mice and humans.

The researchers found that genetically modified mice lacking phosducin had increased baseline blood pressure when compared with normal mice and that they showed enhanced increases in blood pressure in response to post-operative stress. Analysis in humans indicated that a number of phosducin gene variants were associated with certain stress-dependent blood pressure responses.

One gene variant in particular was associated with elevated baseline blood pressure. The researchers suggest that phosducin could be a potential target for treatment designed to alleviate stress-induced high blood pressure.

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References:
1. Lutz Hein, et al. Phosducin influences sympathetic activity and prevents stress-induced hypertension in humans and mice. Journal of Clinical Investigation. J. Clin. Invest. doi:10.1172/JCI38433.

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