Particularly intriguing was the finding that genetic knockout of Gper1 strongly influenced the commensal bacteria colonizing the gut; this differed from wild-type rats although animals were maintained in the same environment, eating the same food.101 A fecal matter transplant from wild-type rats into the Gper1 knockout animals converted the gut microbiota signature of recipients and Gper1 knockout rats were no longer protected from salt-sensitive hypertension and endothelial dysfunction.101. Here, GPER1 is linked to endothelial dysfunction.