3-Beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 6 (HSD3b6)

Hsd3b6 is expressed exclusively in aldosterone-producing cells and is under transcriptional control of the circadian clock. In Cry-null mice, Hsd3b6 messenger RNA and protein levels are constitutively high, leading to a marked increase in 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-isomerase (3beta-HSD) enzymatic activity and, as a consequence, enhanced aldosterone production. These data place Hsd3b6 in a pivotal position through which circadian clock malfunction is coupled to the development of hypertension. Translation of these findings to humans will require clinical examination of human HSD3B1 gene, found to be functionally similar to mouse Hsd3b6. Salt-sensitive hypertension in circadian clock-deficient Cry-null mice involves dysregulated adrenal Hsd3b6. Type VI 3beta-hydroxyl-steroid dehydrogenase (Hsd3b6) as a new hypertension risk factor in mice.