Polymorphism at the Apoprotein‐E locus in relation to risk of coronary disease

TLDR

The study aims to prospectively determine how Apoprotein‑E genotypes affect coronary‑disease risk. Genotype frequencies at the Apoprotein‑E locus were determined in a random sample of 45‑to‑60‑year‑old residents of the Grampian Region, Scotland. Allele frequencies were 0.08 (E II), 0.77 (E III), and 0.15 (E IV); in myocardial‑infarction survivors the E IV/E III genotype was over‑represented and E III/E II under‑represented, and men with E IV/E III had a lower mean age at first infarction, indicating that common Apoprotein‑E genotypes influence coronary‑disease risk.

Abstract

The frequency of genotypes at the polymorphic locus which codes for Apoprotein‐E, an important constituent of very low density serum lipoprotein, has been determined in a random sample of persons between the ages of 45 and 60 years, born in the Grampian Region of North East Scotland. Three alleles, E II E III and E IV occur with a frequency of respectively 0.08, 0.77 and 0.15. In a random sample of survivors of myocardial infarction, born in the same region, genotype E IV E III occurs more and E III E II less frequently than expected. Also the mean age at first infarction is lower in men for genotype E IV E III than for other genotypes. Commonly occurring genotypes at this locus apparently influence the risk of coronary disease. A prospective study is needed to show how the genetic effects are expressed.