Agt, short for angiotensinogen, is a key component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. This system is crucial for regulating blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte balance, and cardiovascular function [1,5]. By targeting Agt, it may offer a new way to better inhibit this system, potentially beneficial for treating hypertension [1].

Research on Agt has explored its role in various diseases. For instance, the AGT M235T polymorphism may not be related to cancer susceptibility based on a meta-analysis [2]. In Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), the M allele of AGT M235T gene polymorphism might be a protective factor in adults, while the TT genotype could be a risk factor for HSP susceptibility in adults [3]. In gastric cancer, Agt is overexpressed, related to poorer patient survival, and associated with immune cell infiltration [4]. Also, the AGT rs4762 A allele is positively associated with diastolic blood pressure in Mexicans with diabetic nephropathy [5]. In the Eastern Asian population, especially in China, the M235T of AGT is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) susceptibility, and the T174M polymorphisms are related to CAD risk [6]. The AGT p.Thr174Met variant might increase myocardial infarction (MI) risk, especially in the Asian population [7].

In summary, Agt is essential for the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system's proper functioning, impacting blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte balance. Studies on Agt gene polymorphisms and expression levels in different diseases have provided insights into its role in disease susceptibility, progression, and potential as a biomarker. Understanding Agt's function through these genetic-based studies may offer new directions for treating hypertension, cancer, and various cardiovascular and kidney-related diseases [1-5,7,10].

References:

1. Morgan, Erin S, Tami, Yvonne, Hu, Kuolung, Bakris, George L, Tsimikas, Sotirios. 2021. Antisense Inhibition of Angiotensinogen With IONIS-AGT-LRx: Results of Phase 1 and Phase 2 Studies. In JACC. Basic to translational science, 6, 485-496. doi:10.1016/j.jacbts.2021.04.004. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34222719/

2. Kou, Junyan, Huang, Jing. 2022. Associations between AGT M235T Polymorphism and Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis. In Journal of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system : JRAAS, 2022, 7862709. doi:10.1155/2022/7862709. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35317386/

3. Mao, Song, Huang, Songming. 2014. Association of AGT M235T gene polymorphism with HSP/HSPN risk. In Renal failure, 37, 16-21. doi:10.3109/0886022X.2014.977142. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25350836/

4. Wu, Fanqi, Zhang, Longguo, Wang, Li, Zhang, Dekui. 2022. AGT May Serve as a Prognostic Biomarker and Correlated with Immune Infiltration in Gastric Cancer. In International journal of general medicine, 15, 1865-1878. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S351662. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35264871/

5. Vázquez-Moreno, Miguel, Locia-Morales, Daniel, Peralta-Romero, José, Flores-Alfaro, Eugenia, Valladares-Salgado, Adan. 2020. AGT rs4762 is associated with diastolic blood pressure in Mexicans with diabetic nephropathy. In Journal of diabetes and its complications, 35, 107826. doi:10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2020.107826. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33423909/

6. Zhang, Qian, Huang, Qingning, Wang, Xianen, Wang, Yong, Hua, Xiaofang. . The effect of polymorphisms (M235T and T174M) on the angiotensinogen gene (AGT) in coronary artery disease in the Eastern Asian population: A systematic review and meta-analysis. In Medicine, 101, e29911. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000029911. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36042680/

7. Li, Yan-Yan, Wang, Hui, Wang, Hao, Zhang, Yang-Yang. 2021. Myocardial Infarction and AGT p.Thr174Met Polymorphism: A Meta-Analysis of 7657 Subjects. In Cardiovascular therapeutics, 2021, 6667934. doi:10.1155/2021/6667934. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34025779/