Genetics of plasma lipoprotein (a) concentrations
- 1 April 1992
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in Current Opinion in Lipidology
- Vol. 3 (2) , 128-136
- https://doi.org/10.1097/00041433-199204000-00009
Abstract
Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a low-density-like lipoprotein with the addition of a Lp(a)-specific protein, apolipoprotein (a) [apo(a)]. Plasma concentrations of Lp(a) are a risk factor for premature coronary heart disease (CHD). Genetic studies have been key in developing an understanding of Lp(a) and its association with CHD. Quantitative genetic studies have demonstrated that plasma Lp(a) concentrations are largely genetically determined. Using length variation in the apo(a) gene and gene product, it has been shown that the apo(a) gene has a large effect on Lp(a) levels, and in fact variation in this one gene is largely responsible for the high heritability of plasma Lp(a) concentrations. The data presented in this review, represent the most complete picture to date of the genetic architecture of a major CHD risk factor.Keywords
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