Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Insertion/Deletion (I/D) Gene Polymorphism

Aim: With its pivotal role in the renin-angiotensin-aldesteron system (RAAS), angiotensin converting enzyme is an exopeptidase that has an effect in many physiological or metabolic events as direct or indirect. It catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II (vasoactive and aldosterone-stimulating peptide) and the breakdown of bradykinin to kinin degradation products. Angiotensin II and bradykinin are powerful vasoactive molecules with multiple acute and chronic effects on the cardiovascular system. The first is a potent vasoconstrictor and the other is a potent vasodilatatör. These two actions of ACE make it an ideal target in the treatment of conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetic nephropathy and type 2 diabetes mellitus. With its main role in two important cardiovascular hormonal regulatory systems (RAAS) and Kallikrein-Kinin System], ACE has an important impact on cardiovascular structure and function. There are a lot of research and report about the effect of ACE insertion deletion (I/D) gene polymorphism on risk, prognosis and reaction to treatment of many diseases such as hypertension, hearth failure, myocardial infarct, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy and cancer. Materials and Methods: In this study, we aimed to detect ACE I/D gene polymorphism and allele frequencies in Sivas and its peripheric regions. 222 case from normal population have been evaluated for ACE gene polymorphism by the reverse hybridization technique. Conclusions: The DD genotype was found in 32.8%, ID genotype in 53.2%, and II genotypein 14% of the subjects tested. The frequency of D allele was 0.59 and I allele was 0.41. Our conclusions indicate that, the distribution of ACE I/D polymorphism and allele frequencies in Sivas were not significiantly different from Turkey and the other European countries. Key words: ACE, Insertion, Deletion, Polymorphism.