The term hyperaldosteronism describes the overproduction of the hormone aldosterone by the adrenal glands. The resulting excess of aldosterone can ultimately increase the risk of cardiovascular complications.
The Math and Statistics team at the CNRGH and their colleagues at the PARCC are studying hyperaldosteronism with the goals of improving early detection and increasing knowledge on the mechanisms underlying the pathology.
Thereto, they performed a genome-wide association study aimed at detecting DNA sequences that are more frequently modified in patients with hyperaldosteronism compared to those without. In that study involving more than 1,000 patients and 3,000 controls, the researchers identified three genome sites associated with an increased risk of hyperaldosteronism. Those sites were located on the chromosomes 1 and 13 and on the X chromosome. On two of them, the team identified two genes potentially involved in excessive aldosterone production.
Published in Nature Communications, this CNRGH/PARCC study is the first to reveal such genomic sites associated with hyperaldosteronism. The study benefitted from the CNRGH team’s competencies in genomics and mathematics/bioinformatics and furthermore contributes to strengthening Genopole’s computational genomics strategic sector.
