ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate association of mutation in WNK4 gene with essential hypertension and to analyze the expression of WNK4 gene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>cSNP in WNK4 gene in a small samples was detected by sequencing, then PCR-RFLP was performed in 98 patients with essential hypertension and 95 control subjects. The expression profile of WNK4 gene was tested by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A cSNP was detected in WNK4 gene exon7 G1662A, and there were significant differences in the distribution of allele frequency of G1662A between essential hypertension group and control group. WNK4 gene were expressed in the tissues of kidney, brain, lung, heart, spleen and intestine of fetus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WNK4 gene is well correlated with essential hypertension.</p>