Genetic Variants Linked to Plasma Lipid Concentrations

Geneticists have identified a number of gene variants that are linked to the metabolic processes that influence plasma lipid concentrations.

Investigators from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, USA) mapped genes from subjects in several lipid-related studies that eventually included nearly 20,000 individuals. They examined more than two million genetic variants before focusing on a total of 25 genetic variants on 18 genes.

Results published in the January 13, 2008, issue of the journal Nature Genetics demonstrated strongly associated variants in 11 loci previously implicated in lipid metabolism and also in several newly identified loci. Other variants were primarily associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and with triglycerides. Additionally, a locus was found encompassing several genes with variants strongly associated with both triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. Notably, 11 independent variants associated with increased LDL cholesterol concentrations also showed increased frequency in a sample of coronary artery disease cases versus controls.

Overall, the data pointed in some unexpected directions. Senior author Dr. Goncalo Abecasis, associate professor of public health at the University of Michigan, said, "It was surprising that while genetic variants that increase your bad cholesterol are also associated with increased risk of heart disease, we did not find that variants influencing your good cholesterol were associated with decreased risk of coronary artery disease. Perhaps that result will lead us to reexamine the roles of good and bad cholesterol in susceptibility to heart disease.”


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