We have searched for polymorphism of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene (Nos2 gene) in the Prague colony of salt-sensitive and salt-resistant Dahl/Rapp rats. Specific primers were used to confirm previously described Nos2 gene polymorphism because this gene was suggested to be a potential candidate gene for genetic hypertension. Phenotyping (blood pressure, organ weight, plasma lipids) have confirmed the data known from other colonies of Dahl/Rapp rats. However, in our colony we were not able to find any Nos2 gene polymorphism between salt-sensitive and salt-resistant rats, which was previously described in animals from Harlan colony. Moreover, the genetic homogeneity of our salt-sensitive and salt-resistant rats in terms of Nos2 gene was the same as in the original Brookhaven colony of Dahl rats. This is surprising because our colony has been established from breeding pairs kindly provided by Prof. J.P. Rapp more than 15 years ago. It seems that the polymorphism found in Harlan colony could be the result of previous contamination or genetic drift during the breeding conditions specific for this colony.

Institute of Physiology AS CR Vídenská 1083 14220 Prague 4 Czech Republic

Nitric oxide and salt resistance in Dahl rats: no role of inducible NO synthase