title: Characterization of apo(a) polymorphism by a modified immunoblotting technique in an Italian population sample.
abstract: Apo(a), the specific lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) apolipoprotein, is characterized by different isoforms (from 6 to 11 on SDS-PAGE) encoded by a system of autosomal codominant alleles. Electrophoresis on agarose gel displays a better resolving power than SDS-PAGE (a larger number of apo(a) isoforms is detected). The aim of this work was to set up a simple technique that uses a capillary blotting apparatus and a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane for protein transfer. We tested an Italian population sample of 202 healthy subjects (123 men and 79 women) and we detected 22 apo(a) isoforms varying from 280 to 775 kDa. In our sample, 135 subjects (66.5%) had a single-band phenotype, 64 (31.7%) had a double-band phenotype and 3 subjects (1.5%) had no detectable bands ('null' phenotype). This simple and reproducible technique could be applied in the genetic screening of apo(a) polymorphisms and for clinical investigations of the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Geroldi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bellotti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buscaglia
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonetti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gazzaruso
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caprioli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fratino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D004586:Electrophoresis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007536:Isomerism; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D005819:Genetic Markers; D017270:Lipoprotein(a)