Scientists in the UK believe they have found the cause of pre-eclampsia, the potentially life-threatening condition which affects thousands of pregnant women. The researchers from the University of Cambridge hope their study will help develop treatments for high blood pressure during pregnancy. Blood pressure is controlled by angiotensins, hormones which restrict blood vessels. The researchers used an intense x-ray beam to probe the structure of the angiotensionogen, which is the protein that releases the similarly-named hormone.
Angiotensinogen is oxidised by the beam and changes shape to permit access by the enzyme rennin, according to the findings published in the journal Nature. Cutting off the 'end' of the protein, sparks the release of the hormone, which, in turn, raises blood pressure. Women suffering from pre-eclampsia were found to have more oxidised angiotensinogen, than those without the condition.
Source: FIGO
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