The association of the apolipoprotein E gene promoter polymorphisms and haplotypes with serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations.
BACKGROUND
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is known to modulate lipoprotein transport and metabolism. The common APOE epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 polymorphism explains part of the variation in plasma cholesterol levels. Polymorphisms of the APOE gene regulatory region are suggested to be involved in explaining variation of lipoprotein levels within the APOE epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 genotypes.


OBJECTIVE
To study the associations of the APOE gene promoter polymorphisms -219G/T and +113G/C and their haplotypes with serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, especially within the most common APOE epsilon3/epsilon3 genotype group.


METHODS
From 219 middle-aged Finnish men, APOE genotypes were determined and haplotypes estimated. Plasma lipoproteins were isolated by ultracentrifugation and their lipids were measured.


RESULTS
The studied APOE promoter polymorphisms and haplotypes associated with certain lipid variables independently of the APOE epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 genotype. Within the APOE epsilon3/epsilon3 group, both -219G/G and +113G/G genotypes associated statistically significantly with higher levels of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, apoB and triglycerides, and tended to associate with lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations than the other genotypes. Compared with the -219T/+113C/epsilon3 haplotype, the more common -219G/+113G/epsilon3 haplotype was found more frequently among the group having high (over median) VLDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations (OR 2.6, p<0.001 and OR=2.1, p=0.009, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to the APOE epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 polymorphism, the promoter polymorphisms -219G/T and +113G/C as well as their haplotype modulate lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in middle-aged Finnish men.
Viiri
Leena E
LE
Forensic Medicine, University of Tampere Medical School and Centre for Laboratory Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. leena.viiri@uta.fi
Loimaala
Antti
A
Nenonen
Arja
A
Islam
Shaheenul
S
Vuori
Ilkka
I
Karhunen
Pekka J
PJ
Lehtimäki
Terho
T
D000328:Adult; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL / Q000097:blood*; D005387:Finland; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL; D014280:Triglycerides