In the last few decades CYP11B1 (11-β-hydroxylase) and CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase), key enzymes in the biosynthesis of cortisol and aldosterone, respectively, have been also investigated as targets for the identification of new potent and selective agents for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome, impaired wound healing and cardiovascular diseases.
It was reported in many studies that polymorphisms of the gene encoding aldosterone synthase, CYP11B2, especially the -344C/T polymorphism, are associated with cardiovascular diseases.
We measured the small quantities of CYP11B2 gene transcript and found the levels to be significantly higher in samples from heart failure patients than in those from cardiovascular disease-free patients.