Mutated protein mechanisms found to raise blood pressure

Holes in proteins within cell membranes that cause high blood pressure could be caused by a mutated protein. Researchers have identified a mutated protein that can cause damage to another protein that sits within the membrane of cells, resulting in holes within the protein. This in turn can cause increased blood pressure, which has a number of health complications.

Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have discovered what events within the human body are caused by a specific mutated version of a protein. Discovering what this protein does could lead to better medication for the treatment of high blood pressure, which could help to reduce the chance of further health complications. 

The discovery of the mutated protein was made previously by researchers from the University of Aarhus, however, they were unable to identify the mechanisms that were affected by the protein. The latest study has identified that the mutated protein leads to the development of holes within a second protein that remains in the membrane of cells. This means that the cell is unable to control what can move in and out of its interior.

These holes form in the areas that are utilised by the cell to control its salt levels. A fully functioning cell has control over how much salt it needs to remove from the cell interior, which enables it to maintain a perfect balance. However, when the holes form, more salt is able to enter the cell, meaning that the levels go up. This can cause a number of health complications, one of which is high blood pressure.

Understanding the mechanisms of the mutated protein means that more targeted drugs can be developed that stop it from leading to holes in the cell membranes. This in turn could be beneficial to the treatment of several diseases and help to treat high blood pressure.

Researchers were able to identify the mechanisms by using a computer cluster called Horseshoe 6, which is one of Denmark's most powerful systems. The way in which the mutated protein works was identified by running a simulation through this system.