Abstract: Objective To assess the association of tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (tag SNPs) of SH2B adaptor protein 3 (SH2B3) gene with essential hypertension (EH) in Han population. Method Six tag SNPs (rs7309325, rs11065898, rs10849947, rs2239196, rs2238154 and rs739496) were genotyped in 510 patients with EH and 510 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method（PCR-RFLP）. Results Compared to CC genotype, the T allele carriers of rs2239196 were more likely to be hypertensive (OR=2.59，95%CI 1.36-4.96，Bonferroni correction P<0.05) . Conclusion The rs2239196 T allele may be a risk factor for EH in Han population.

Key words: essential hypertension, SH2B3, tag SNPs, Han population