The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing hypertension, and/or allergy, and/or hair loss, and/or liability for infection, of a human being, or a predisposition therefor; to a nucleic acid molecule coding for a human ClCKb protein comprising a genetic alteration at amino acid position 481 compared to the wild type, as well as for corresponding segments thereof; to a nucleic acid molecule which binds to the before-mentioned nucleic acid molecule under stringent conditions, as well as to a nucleic acid molecule which binds to that nucleic acid molecule; to a (poly)peptide encoded by the afore-mentioned nucleic acid molecules; to a method for identifying substances modulating activity of a peptide derived from ClCKb protein that is genetically altered at amino acid position 481 compared to the wild type; to a substance for modulating activity of a peptide derived from ClCKb protein that is genetically altered at amino acid position 481 compared to the wild type; to methods for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of hypertension, and/or allergy, and/or hair loss, and/or liability for infection; to pharmaceutical compositions; and to a method for treating a human being affected by hypertension, and/or allergy and/or hair loss, and/or liability for infection.