Association of the apolipoprotein M gene polymorphisms and serum lipid levels

The association of rs707921 and rs707922 SNPs in the apolipoprotein M (APOM) gene and serum lipid levels is still controversial. This study aimed to detect the association of the APOM rs707921 and rs707922 SNPs and several environmental factors with serum lipid profiles. Genotyping of rs707921 and rs707922 was performed in 703 of Mulao’s and 707 of Han’s participants. The serum levels of TG in Mulao, and TG and HDL-C in Han were different between the A and C allele carriers of rs707921 (P < 0.05–0.01); while the serum levels of TG in both Mulao and Han were different between the T and G allele carriers of rs707922 (P < 0.05–0.01). According to the gender-subgroup analysis, the levels of TC in Mulao females, TG and ApoB in Han males, and HDL-C in Han females were associated with the genotypes of rs707921 (P < 0.05 for each); whereas the levels of TG in Mulao males, and TG and ApoB in Han males were correlated with the genotypes of rs707922 (P < 0.05 for each). Serum lipid parameters were also associated with several environmental factors (P < 0.05–0.001). The APOM gene rs707921 and rs707922 SNPs are associated with some serum lipid parameters in the two ethnic groups, but the trends of association suggest that the two SNPs might have racial/ethnic- and/or gender- specificity.     

Interactions of the apolipoprotein A5 gene polymorphisms and alcohol consumption on serum lipid levels

Background

Little is known about the interactions of apolipoprotein (Apo) A5 gene polymorphisms and alcohol consumption on serum lipid profiles. The present study was undertaken to detect the interactions of ApoA5–1131T>C, c.553G>T and c.457G>A polymorphisms and alcohol consumption on serum lipid levels.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A total of 516 nondrinkers and 514 drinkers were randomly selected from our previous stratified randomized cluster samples. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), ApoA1 and ApoB were higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers (P<0.05–0.001). The genotypic and allelic frequencies of three loci were not different between the two groups. The interactions between –1131T>C genotypes and alcohol consumption on ApoB levels (P<0.05) and the ApoA1/ApoB ratio (P<0.01), between c.553G>T genotypes and alcohol consumption on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (P<0.05) and the ApoA1/ApoB ratio (P<0.05), and between c.457G>A genotypes and alcohol consumption on TG levels (P<0.001) were detected by factorial regression analysis after controlling for potential confounders. Four haplotypes (T-G-G, C-G-G, T-A-G and C-G-T) had frequencies ranging from 0.06 to 0.87. Three haplotypes (C-G-G, T-A-G, and C-G-T) were significantly associated with serum lipid parameters. The –1131T>C genotypes were correlated with TG, and c.553G>T and c.457G>A genotypes were associated with HDL-C levels in nondrinkers (P<0.05 for all). For drinkers, the –1131T>C genotypes were correlated with TC, TG, LDL-C, ApoB levels and the ApoA1/ApoB ratio (P<0.01 for all); c.553G>T genotypes were correlated with TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C levels (P<0.05–0.01); and c.457G>A genotypes were associated with TG, LDL-C, ApoA1 and ApoB levels (P<0.05–0.01).

Conclusions

The differences in some serum lipid parameters between the drinkers and nondrinkers might partly result from different interactions of the ApoA5 gene polymorphisms and alcohol consumption.     

Genetic determinants of lipid traits in diverse populations from the population architecture using genomics and epidemiology (PAGE) study

For the past five years, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of common variants associated with human diseases and traits, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels. Approximately 95 loci associated with lipid levels have been identified primarily among populations of European ancestry. The Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) study was established in 2008 to characterize GWAS-identified variants in diverse population-based studies. We genotyped 49 GWAS-identified SNPs associated with one or more lipid traits in at least two PAGE studies and across six racial/ethnic groups. We performed a meta-analysis testing for SNP associations with fasting HDL-C, LDL-C, and ln(TG) levels in self-identified European American (~20,000), African American (~9,000), American Indian (~6,000), Mexican American/Hispanic (~2,500), Japanese/East Asian (~690), and Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian (~175) adults, regardless of lipid-lowering medication use. We replicated 55 of 60 (92%) SNP associations tested in European Americans at p<0.05. Despite sufficient power, we were unable to replicate ABCA1 rs4149268 and rs1883025, CETP rs1864163, and TTC39B rs471364 previously associated with HDL-C and MAFB rs6102059 previously associated with LDL-C. Based on significance (p<0.05) and consistent direction of effect, a majority of replicated genotype-phentoype associations for HDL-C, LDL-C, and ln(TG) in European Americans generalized to African Americans (48%, 61%, and 57%), American Indians (45%, 64%, and 77%), and Mexican Americans/Hispanics (57%, 56%, and 86%). Overall, 16 associations generalized across all three populations. For the associations that did not generalize, differences in effect sizes, allele frequencies, and linkage disequilibrium offer clues to the next generation of association studies for these traits.     

Replication Study Confirms Link between TSPAN18 Mutation and Schizophrenia in Han Chinese

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder associated with many different risk factors, both genetic and environmental. A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) of Han Chinese identified three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs rs11038167, rs11038172, and rs835784) in the tetraspanins gene TSPAN18 as possible susceptibility loci for schizophrenia. Hoping to validate these findings, we conducted a case-control study of Han Chinese with 1093 schizophrenia cases and 1022 healthy controls. Using the LDR-PCR method to genotype polymorphisms in TSPAN18, we found no significant differences (P>0.05) between patients and controls in either the allele or genotype frequency of the SNPs rs11038167 and rs11038172. We did find, however, that the frequency of the ‘A’ allele of SNP rs835784 is significantly higher in patients than in controls. We further observed a significant association (OR  = 1.197, 95%CI  = 1.047–1.369) between risk for SCZ and this ‘A’ allele. These results confirm the significant association, in Han Chinese populations, of increased SCZ risk and the variant of the TSPAN18 gene containing the ‘A’ allele of SNP rs835784.     

Genetic Variations of GAK in Two Chinese Parkinson’s Disease Populations: A Case-Control Study

Cyclin G-associated kinase (GAK) modifies α–synuclein expression levels and affects the susceptibility of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1564282 of GAK gene has a significant association to the risk of PD among Caucasian populations. To date there is only one data with regards to ethnic Chinese from Mainland China. Here, we conducted a case-control study in two independent cohorts of Han Chinese populations from Taiwan and Singapore to validate this association. A total of 1,755 subjects (871 PD patients and 884 controls) were recruited. The results showed that neither the CT, TT genotypes nor the minor allele T of SNP rs1564282 were associated with PD among the subjects from Taiwan and Singapore as well as in the pooled analysis. Differences in our study population with regards to published literature may be due to epigenetic factors and gene-gene or gene-environmental interactions. Further studies in other Chinese populations will be of interest to validate these findings.     

贵州省1例家族性高胆固醇血症家系基因突变筛查与评估

摘要 目的：探讨贵州省1例家族性高胆固醇血症（FH）家系基因突变筛查与评估结果。方法：参照荷兰脂质诊断网络（DLCN）指南诊断标准于2021年11月-2022年11月贵阳市某三甲医院选取1例临床诊断FH的患者进行研究,分析其家系系谱,采用C8000型全自动生化分析仪检测家系成员总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、LDL-C、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）水平;并采集家系临床相关数据,收集血清样本提取白细胞DNA进行全基因组外显子测序致病基因,筛选出4个FH相关基因[低密度脂蛋白受体（LDLR）、载脂蛋白B（ApoB）、西布曲明9a型（PCSK9）、LDLR衔接蛋白1（LDLRAP1）]的单核苷酸多态性（SNP）位点情况,采用Polyphen-2和SIFT软件对SNP位点进行致病性分析;同时回顾性分析双重滤过血浆置换(DFPP)吸附治疗期间的心血管疾病发生情况及治疗前后的载脂蛋白A（ApoA）、载脂蛋白E（ApoE）、载脂蛋白B（ApoB）、脂蛋白a（LPa）、TC、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C、游离脂肪酸（FFA）水平变化情况。结果：该家系Ⅰ-1成员血清LDL-C达8.16 mmol/L,Ⅱ-1成员血清LDL-C达7.0 mmol/L,Ⅱ-2成员血清LDL-C达3.45 mmol/L,按照DLCN标准,Ⅰ-1评7分,Ⅱ-1评6分,均提示患FH可能性大,达到FH临床诊断标准。利用Polyphen-2预测,该家系ApoB基因中rs676210、rs679899分别得分0.999、0.998,1个新位点c.10094A＞T得分为0.829,均提示可能致病,SIFT软件预测以上三个位点均有害。DFPP治疗后患者病情稳定,至今无心绞痛严重心血管事件发生。与吸附治疗前比较,吸附治疗后ApoA、ApoE、ApoB、LPa、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C、TC水平较低FFA水平较高,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：ApoB基因SNP位点突变很可能是该家系引起FH的主要原因,而DFPP治疗有利于调节FH患者血脂水平,进而降低心血管疾病的发生风险。     

Variation in the X-Linked EFHC2 Gene Is Associated with Social Cognitive Abilities in Males

Females outperform males on many social cognitive tasks. X-linked genes may contribute to this sex difference. Males possess one X chromosome, while females possess two X chromosomes. Functional variations in X-linked genes are therefore likely to impact more on males than females. Previous studies of X-monosomic women with Turner syndrome suggest a genetic association with facial fear recognition abilities at Xp11.3, specifically at a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP rs7055196) within the EFHC2 gene. Based on a strong hypothesis, we investigated an association between variation at SNP rs7055196 and facial fear recognition and theory of mind abilities in males. As predicted, males possessing the G allele had significantly poorer facial fear detection accuracy and theory of mind abilities than males possessing the A allele (with SNP variant accounting for up to 4.6% of variance). Variation in the X-linked EFHC2 gene at SNP rs7055196 is therefore associated with social cognitive abilities in males.     

Meta-Analysis Indicates That the European GWAS-Identified Risk SNP rs1344706 within ZNF804A Is Not Associated with Schizophrenia in Han Chinese Population

Recent genetic association studies have implicated several candidate susceptibility variants for schizophrenia among general populations. Rs1344706, an intronic SNP within ZNF804A, was identified as one of the most compelling candidate risk SNPs for schizophrenia in Europeans through genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and replications as well as large-scale meta-analyses. However, in Han Chinese, the results for rs1344706 are inconsistent, and whether rs1344706 is an authentic risk SNP for schizophrenia in Han Chinese is inconclusive. Here, we conducted a systematic meta-analysis of rs1344706 with schizophrenia in Chinese population by combining all available case-control samples (N = 12), including a total of 8,982 cases and 12,342 controls. The results of our meta-analysis were not able to confirm an association of rs1344706 A-allele with schizophrenia (p = 0.10, odds ratio = 1.06, 95% confidence interval = 0.99–1.13). Such absence of association was further confirmed by the non-superiority test (p = 0.0003), suggesting that rs1344706 is not a risk SNP for schizophrenia in Han Chinese. Detailed examinations of individual samples revealed potential sampling bias in previous replication studies in Han Chinese. The absence of rs1344706 association in Han Chinese suggest a potential genetic heterogeneity in the susceptibility of schizophrenia on this locus and also demonstrate the difficulties in replicating genome-wide association findings of schizophrenia across different ethnic populations.     

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism rs11136000 of CLU Gene (Clusterin,ApoJ) and the Risk of Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in a Central European Population

Clusterin (CLU; also known as apolipoprotein J, ApoJ) is a protein of inconstant structure known to be involved in diverse processes inside and outside of brain cells. CLU can act as a protein chaperon or protein solubilizer, lipid transporter as well as redox sensor and be anti- or proapoptotic, depending on context. Primary structure of CLU is encoded by CLU gene which contains single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP’s) associated with the risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD). Studying a sample of Czech population and using the case-control association approach we identified C allele of the SNP rs11136000 as conferring a reduced risk of LOAD, more so in females than in males. Additionally, data from two smaller subsets of the population sample suggested a possible association of rs11136000 with diabetes mellitus. In a parallel study, we found no association between rs11136000 and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Our findings on rs11136000 and LOAD contradict those of some previous studies done elsewhere. We discuss the multiple roles of CLU in a broad range of molecular mechanisms that may contribute to the variability of genetic studies of CLU in various ethnic groups. The above discordance notwithstanding, our conclusions support the association of rs1113600 with the risk of LOAD.

     

The association between a single nucleotide polymorphism rs11966200 in MHC region and clinical features of generalized vitiligo in Chinese Han population

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder characterized by loss of epidermal melanocytes. A strong association at a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs11966200 within MHC region had been identified in a recent genome-wide association study of generalized vitiligo in Chinese Han population. This study aims to investigate the relationships between SNP rs11966200 and the clinical features of generalized vitiligo in Chinese Han population. We compared the allele and genotype frequency among different vitiligo subphenotypes including age onset, extent of disease, clinical subtypes, family history of vitiligo and history of autoimmune disease. Our data showed SNP rs11966200 was associated with early-onset vitiligo (onset age ≤20 years) (odds ratio [OR], 1.54; p = 2.01 × 10^?13), moderate-severe vitiligo (involved body surface ≥5 %) (OR, 1.17; p = 0.025), vitiligo vulgaris (OR, 1.13; p = 0.043), and focal vitiligo (OR, 0.86; p = 0.018). The study suggested that the underlying risk causal allele tagged by SNP rs11966200 might not only play important roles in the development of vitiligo, but also contribute to the diverse clinical characteristics of generalized vitiligo at least in Chinese Han population.     

TOMM40 gene polymorphisms association with lipid profile

The distribution of the allele and genotype frequency for the TOMM40 gene polymorphic variants rs741780, rs157580, rs1160985, rs2075650, and rs8106922 was analyzed in a sampling of ethnic Russians from the city of Kemerovo. The study of the structure of linkage disequilibrium in terms of five studied polymorphic variants showed the presence of a haplotype block 2 Kb in length, which includes three polymorphic variants, i.e., rs741780, rs1160985, and rs8106922. The differences in the frequencies of alleles and genotypes in terms of the polymorphic rs2075650 and rs157580 variants between ethnic Russians from the city of Kemerovo and other European populations were detected. It was discovered that polymorphic variants of TOMM40 rs741780, rs1160985, and rs8106922 are associated with serum triglyceride concentrations. In men, the polymorphic variant rs2075650 is associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. In women, the polymorphic variant rs741780 is associated with diastolic blood pressure levels.     

Association of polymorphisms in the Chr18q11.2 locus with tuberculosis in Chinese population

A GWAS study has reported that two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with predisposition to tuberculosis (TB) in African populations. These two loci represented the long-waited GWAS hits for TB susceptibility. To determine whether these two SNPs are associated with TB in Chinese population, we attempted an replication in a cohort of over one thousand Chinese TB patients and 1,280 healthy controls using melting temperature shift allele-specific genotyping analysis. We found that only SNP rs4331426 was significantly associated with TB in Chinese population (p = 0.011). However, the effect was opposite. The G allele of the SNP in Chinese population is a protective allele (OR = 0.62, 95 % CI 0.44–0.87), while it was the risk allele for African population (OR = 1.19, 95 % CI 1.12–1.26). No significance was found for SNP rs2335704. The results provided an independent support for a role in susceptibility to TB for SNP rs4331426. However, it also indicated that direct predisposition element to TB and the association effects may vary across ethnic groups.     

Interaction between SNPs in the RXRA and near ANGPTL3 gene region inhibits apoB reduction after statin-fenofibric acid therapy in individuals with mixed dyslipidemia

The mixed dyslipidemia phenotype is characterized by elevated triglycerides (TG), low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), increased ApoB levels, and premature coronary atherosclerosis. Fibrate-statin combination therapy reduces ApoB levels and coronary events in the mixed dyslipidemia population. We sought to identify gene-gene interactions that affect ApoB response to statin-fenofibric acid therapy in the mixed dyslipidemia population. Using a predefined subset of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were previously associated with TG, VLDL, or HDL-C, we applied gene-gene interaction testing in a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial examining the response to fenofibric acid (FNA) and its combination with statin in 1,865 individuals with mixed dyslipidemia. Of 11,783 possible SNP pairs examined, we detected a single significant interaction between rs12130333, located within the ANGPTL3 gene region, and rs4240705, within the RXRA gene, on ApoB reduction after statin-FNA therapy (P = 4.0 × 10⁻⁶). ApoB response to therapy gradually reduced with the increasing number of T alleles in the rs12130333 but only in the presence of the GG genotype of rs4240705. Individuals doubly homozygous for the minor alleles at rs12130333 and rs4240705 showed a paradoxical increase of 1.8% in ApoB levels after FNA-statin combination therapy. No gene-gene interaction was identified other than an interaction between SNPs in the ANGPTL3 and RXRA regions, which results in the inhibition of ApoB reduction in response to statin-FNA therapy. Further study is required to examine the clinical applicability of this genetic interaction and its effect on coronary events.     

Association of PS gene polymorphism and soluble P-selectin levels in atrial fibrillation thromboembolism population in Xinjiang

To investigate the association between the polymorphism of P choose element (p. selectin, PS) and soluble P-selectin levels in atrial fibrillation (AF) thromboembolism in Han and Uigur population of Xinjiang. Method: Using ELISA method determination of plasma level of sPs. The frequency distributions of SNP sP-selectin gene promoter (−2123C/G) and SNP in exon region (Thr715Pro) were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct DNA sequence analysis among 302 Xinjiang Uigur and 340 age- and sex-matched Han people. Results: Cases sPs exist significant difference serum level and the control group. The frequencies of the −2123C/G allele among the Uigur population had no significant differences from those of the Han population. Thr715Pro did not show any polymorphism in the two populations. Conclusions: The sP-selectin gene polymorphisms are associated with serum sP-selectin levels or thromboembolic events, suggesting that the patients with nonvalvular AF and thromboembolic events may have genetic susceptibility.     

Additive Antiatherogenic Effects of CETP rs708272 on Serum LDL Subfraction Levels in Patients with CHD Under Statin Therapy

Recently, subfraction analysis of serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered to be a better predictor of the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) compared to the other lipid parameters. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the HDL-associated Taq1B (rs708272) SNP of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) gene on serum LDL subfractions in patients with CHD. Serum lipid levels were measured enzymatically and LDL subfraction analysis was carried out by the Lipoprint System (Quantimetrix, CA, USA). The CETP rs708272 SNP was studied in 66 healthy controls and 79 patients with CHD receiving statin therapy by the PCR–RFLP technique. The CHD patients had elevated antiatherogenic LDL-1 subfraction (p = 0.042), decreased atherogenic IDL-C subfraction (p = 0.023), and total IDL (p = 0.030) levels compared to the healthy controls. The CETP rs708272 Taq1B minor B2 allele was associated with increased levels of antiatherogenic LDL-1 (B2: 0.40 ± 0.20 vs. B1B1: 0.25 ± 0.08, p = 0.004) and large-LDL (LDL 1–2) subfractions in the CHD group (B2 allele: 0.68 ± 0.41 vs. B1B1: 0.42 ± 0.20; p < 0.05), while it was associated with reduced levels of the large-LDL subfraction in healthy subjects (B2 allele: 0.29 ± 0.14 vs. B1B1: 0.54 ± 0.24; p = 0.017). However, there was no statistically significant association between the CETP rs708272 SNP and small dense LDL subfraction (LDL 3–7) and lipoprotein levels (p > 0.05). Our findings have indicated that the CETP rs708272 SNP together with statin therapy may show a favorable effect on antiatherogenic LDL-1 and large-LDL subfractions in CHD patients with an atherogenic effect on large-LDL subfraction in healthy subjects. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the effects of the CETP variation on LDL subfraction could change in cardiometabolic events such as CHD and statin therapy.     

Association of the CTLA4 Gene with Graves' Disease in the Chinese Han Population

To determine whether genetic heterogeneity exists in patients with Graves'' disease (GD), the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated 4 (CTLA-4) gene, which is implicated a susceptibility gene for GD by considerable genetic and immunological evidence, was used for association analysis in a Chinese Han cohort recruited from various geographic regions. Our association study for the SNPs in the CTLA4 gene in 2640 GD patients and 2204 control subjects confirmed that CTLA4 is the susceptibility gene for GD in the Chinese Han population. Moreover, the logistic regression analysis in the combined Chinese Han cohort revealed that SNP rs231779 (allele frequencies p = 2.81×10⁻⁹, OR = 1.35, and genotype distributions p = 2.75×10⁻⁹, OR = 1.42) is likely the susceptibility variant for GD. Interestingly, the logistic regression analysis revealed that SNP rs35219727 may be the susceptibility variant to GD in the Shandong population; however, SNP, rs231779 in the CTLA4 gene probably independently confers GD susceptibility in the Xuzhou and southern China populations. These data suggest that the susceptibility variants of the CTLA4 gene varied between the different geographic populations with GD.     

Insertion/deletion polymorphism in clusterin gene influences serum lipid levels and carotid intima-media thickness in hypertensive Japanese females

Clusterin has been implicated in lipid metabolism and atherogenesis, however, the influence of genetic variation has not been examined in Japanese. In this study, we identified 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of clusterin gene by direct sequencing. Among them, one promoter SNP (-4453T>G), one missense SNP (4183G>A), and 2 common SNPs (5608T>C and 6316delT) were genotyped in 525 asymptomatic hypertensives not treated with lipid lowering agents. -4453T>G, 4183G>A, and 5608T>C showed no correlation with the clinical characteristics, however, in the 6316delT, an insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism, D/D subjects had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol than I/I subjects in females but not in males. Female subjects with the D allele (D/D+I/D) had greater intima-media thickness of the carotid artery than I/I subjects. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the D allele of 6316delT was detected as an independent predictor for the plaque prevalence. In conclusion, the clusterin gene polymorphism may contribute to the serum lipid levels and the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive Japanese females.     

Prevalence of ApoB100 rs693 gene polymorphism in metabolic syndrome among female students at King Abdulaziz University

Apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB100) is a glycoprotein and a member of the adipokine family. It plays a central role in lipoprotein metabolism. Many research studies have revealed a strong relation between ApoB100 and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance.In our research, we examined the relationship between ApoB100 rs693 gene polymorphism, body mass index (BMI) and the probability of MetS in young female students studying at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Saudi Arabia. The study group comprised 141 females whose ages ranged from 18 to 25 years. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were measured alongside a genetic analysis of ApoB100 rs693.The BMI, glucose concentration and total cholesterol level were found to be significantly associated with the ApoB100 rs693 gene. The differences noted between control and MetS groups regarding glucose concentrations were statistically significant (P = 0.001).A growing number of young females are being diagnosed with MetS in KAU because of unhealthy eating habits, in combination with the absence of physical exercise, causing increased body weight and the potential progression of chronic diseases. Our study showed that the allele associated with hypertensive individuals at ApoB100 rs693 and MetS may have a direct genetic influence. Further research on expanded sample sizes, however, is required in order to draw rigid conclusions.     

Association of the Lipoprotein Receptor SCARB1 Common Missense Variant rs4238001 with Incident Coronary Heart Disease

BackgroundPrevious studies in mice and humans have implicated the lipoprotein receptor SCARB1 in association with atherosclerosis and lipid levels. In the current study, we sought to examine association of SCARB1 missense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4238001 with incident coronary heart disease (CHD).ConclusionSCARB1 missense rs4238001 is statistically significantly associated with incident CHD across a large population of multiple race/ethnic groups.     

Association of common DNA sequence variants at 33 genetic loci with blood lipids in individuals of African ancestry from Jamaica

The relevance of loci associated with blood lipids recently identified in European populations in individuals of African ancestry is unknown. We tested association between lipid traits and 36 previously described single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1,466 individuals of African ancestry from Spanish Town, Jamaica. For the same allele and effect direction as observed in individuals of European ancestry, SNPs at three loci (1p13, 2p21, and 19p13) showed statistically significant association (p < 0.05) with LDL, two loci (11q12 and 20q13) showed association with HDL cholesterol, and two loci (11q12 and 2p24) showed association with triglycerides. The most significant association was between a SNP at 1p13 and LDL cholesterol (p = 4.6 × 10^?8). This SNP is in a linkage disequilibrium region containing four genes (CELSR2, PSRC1, MYBPHL, and SORT1) and was recently shown to relate to risk for myocardial infarction. Overall, the results of this study suggest that much of the genetic variation which influences blood lipids is shared across ethnic groups.