The hypertension of Conn's syndrome is due to autonomous aldosterone production by a unilateral adrenocortical adenoma. The source of tumour initiation and the reasons for excess aldosterone production as opposed to cortisol are not known, although variations in the promoter region of the gene coding for aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) might account for the altered rate of aldosterone secretion.
Polymorphic differences from normal in the aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2) in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism and adrenal tumour (Conn's syndrome).
MRC Blood Pressure Group, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland and Département d'Hypertension Arterielle, Hôpital Brousais, Paris, France.
