title: Polymorphism of apolipoprotein E. III. Effect of a single polymorphic gene locus on plasma lipid levels in man.
abstract: The two autosomal codominant alleles of the Apo E-N/D polymorphism, Apo En and Apo Ed, have a considerable influence on plasma lipid levels and distribution in man. Serum cholesterol levels are highest in phenotype Apo E-N, intermediate in phenotype Apo E-ND, and low in phenotype Apo E-D. Contrary VLDL-cholesterol is highest in phenotype Apo E-D, intermediate in heterozygotes, and lowest in phenotype Apo E-N. Serum-triglyceride, VLDL-triglyceride and the ratio of VLDL-cholesterol/serum-triglyceride are also intermediate in phenotype Apo E-ND between the two opposite homozygous groups. 10% of heterozygous Apo E-ND subjects exhibited a beta-VLDL subfraction compared to 0.8% in phenotype Apo E-N and 100% in Apo E-D. Hence the three phenotypic groups exhibit metabolic differences in vivo, and the gene Apo Ed has a mild dyslipoproteinemic effect even in a single dose. The Apo E-N/D polymorphism may therefore be a major influence on the occurrence of arteriosclerotic vascular disease in man.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005260:Female; D005796:Genes; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001053:Apolipoproteins; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol