Extensive characterization of the human DDAH1 transgenic mice

Abstract Purpose of the research Overexpression of the human dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase type 1 (hDDAH1) gene was reported to have beneficial cardiovascular effects in mice. To date, it is unclear whether these effects are related to enhanced metabolic clearance of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and l - N G -mono-methyl- l -arginine ( l -NMMA) or increased DDAH1 expression and activity in cardiovascular tissues of hDDAH1 transgenic mice. Principal results DDAH activity (DDAH1 + DDAH2) was found to be markedly increased in aortic and heart tissues but unaltered in liver and kidney tissues of hDDAH1 transgenic as compared to wild-type (WT) mice. In WT mice, DDAH activity was m…