Sorting nexin 1 loss results in increased oxidative stress and hypertension

Acute renal depletion of sorting nexin 1 (SNX1) in mice results in blunted natriuretic response and hypertension due to impaired dopamine D 5 receptor (D 5 R) activity. We elucidated the molecular mechanisms for these phenotypes in Snx1 −/− mice. These mice had increased renal expressions of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT 1 R), NADPH oxidase (NOX) subunits, D 5 R, and NaCl cotransporter. Basal reactive oxygen species (ROS), NOX activity, and blood pressure (BP) were also higher in Snx1 ‐/‐ mice, which were normalized by apocynin, a drug that prevents NOX assembly. Renal proximal tubule (RPT) cells from hypertensive (HT) Euro‐American males had deficient SNX1 activity, impaired D 5 R endocytosis, and increased ROS compared with cells from normotensive (NT) Euro‐American males. siRNA‐mediated depletion of SNX1 in RPT cells from NT subjects led to a blunting of D 5 R agonist‐induced increase in cAMP production and decrease in Na + transport, effects that were normalized by over‐expression of SNX1. Among HT African‐Americans, three of the 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms interrogated for the SNX1 gene were associated with a decrease in systolic BP in response to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). The results illustrate a new paradigm for the development of hypertension and imply that the trafficking protein SNX1 may be a crucial determinant for hypertension and response to antihypertensive therapy.