The human GRK4Gamma griego minusculo 65L variant causes salt-sensitive hypertension by increasing renal SLC4A5 expression through the HDAC1 pathway

Cuevas, S.; Rozyyev, S.; Lee, H.; Arias Sanchez, C.; Yaqub, D.; Feranil, J.; Konkalmatt, P.; Campisi, R.; Polzin, J.; D. Assico, L.; Armando, I.; Jose, P.

doi:10.64898/2026.03.09.710443

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.03.09.710443

The human GRK4Gamma griego minusculo 65L variant causes salt-sensitive hypertension by increasing renal SLC4A5 expression through the HDAC1 pathway

Cuevas, S.·Rozyyev, S.·Lee, H.·Arias Sanchez, C.·Yaqub, D.·Feranil, J.·Konkalmatt, P.·Campisi, R.·Polzin, J.·D. Assico, L.·Armando, I.·Jose, P.

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Abstract

Salt-sensitive hypertension, a condition in which the blood pressure (BP) increases with an increase in salt intake, is influenced by behavioral, genetic, and environmental factors. Salt sensitivity is associated with variants of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4{gamma} (GRK4{gamma}) and the renal sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 2 (NBCe2), encoded by the solute carrier family 4 member 5 (SLC4A5). The R>65L variant (rs2960306) of human GRK4 (hGRK4{gamma} 65L) contributes to salt sensitivity through a signaling pathway and gene-gene interaction with SLC4A5. Global expression of GRK4{gamma} 65L in transgenic mice results in salt-sensitive hypertension, due in part to an increase in endogenous GRK4 and angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) expression. Grk4 knockout (Grk4-/-) mice have decreased blood pressure and are salt-resistant. The expression of hGRK4{gamma} 65L only in the kidney of Grk4-/- mice increases BP in response to a high salt diet. The renal expression of SLC4A5 is increased in hGRK4{gamma} 65L transgenic mice, relative to mice expressing wild-type (WT) human GRK4 (hGRK4 65L), without endogenous mGrk4. Human renal proximal tubule cells (hRPTCs) endogenously expressing GRK4 WT and SLC4A5 WT, SLC4A5 variants, GRK4 65L, and both GRK4 65L and SLC4A5 variants were studied. SLC4A5 expression is increased in hRPTCs expressing GRK4 65L and in cells expressing both GRK4 65L and SLC4A5 variants compared with GRK4 WT and SLC4A5 WT. Luminal and basolateral sodium transport in hRPTCs is increased in the presence of both hGRK4 65L and SLC4A5 variants. GRK4 interacts with nuclear histone deacetylases (HDACs). Mice expressing hGRK4 65L only in the kidney have decreased expression but increased phosphorylation of HDAC1. HDAC1 expression is decreased and HDAC1 but not HDAC2 phosphorylation is increased in hRPTCs expressing both hGRK4 65L and SLC4A5 variants. The presence of hGRK4{gamma} 65L decreased HDAC1 expression but increased AT1R expression in the kidneys of mice on high salt diet. Our results show that GRK4{gamma} 65L causes salt-sensitive hypertension by increasing renal SLC4A5 and AT1R expressions by inhibiting the HDAC1 pathway.

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Cuevas, S., Rozyyev, S., Lee, H., Arias Sanchez, C., Yaqub, D., Feranil, J., Konkalmatt, P., Campisi, R., Polzin, J., D. Assico, L., Armando, I., Jose, P.. 2026-03-11. The human GRK4Gamma griego minusculo 65L variant causes salt-sensitive hypertension by increasing renal SLC4A5 expression through the HDAC1 pathway. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.03.09.710443

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