In strong support to our hypothesis of common genetic factors contributing to disease phenotypes in GK rats and SHRs or SHR-related strains (SHR Stroke Prone and Spontaneously Hypertensive Heart Failure), we identified eQTLs in the GK rat for three genes that are central to SHR aetiopathogenesis, including the angiotensin I converting enzyme (Ace), which was the strongest candidate in the initial genetic study in the SHR (Hilbert et al., 1991), the Cd36 protein (Aitman et al., 1999) and the epoxide hydrolase 2 (Ephx2), which is associated with heart failure (Monti et al., 2008). Here, EPHX2 is linked to heart failure.