Segregation analysis of apolipoprotein A1 levels in families of adolescents: a community-based study in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
Apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 is a protective factor for cardiovascular events. This study aimed to perform complex segregation analyses of Apo A1 levels in families of adolescents systematically ascertained from the junior high school students in a rural community. Both siblings and parents of the adolescent probands were recruited for the study. Apo A1 concentrations were measured by turbidimetric immunoassay methods. After adjustment for gender, age, body mass index, smoking and drinking status, residual values of Apo A1 were subjected to subsequent analyses.


RESULTS
Significant mother-father and parent-offspring correlations were found. Commingling analyses indicated that a four-component distribution model was needed to account for the Apo A1 variation. Segregation analysis using regressive models revealed that the best-fit model of Apo A1 was a model of environmental effect plus familial correlation (heritability = 23.9%), in which a significant mother-father correlation existed. Models containing major gene effect could be rejected.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that variations of Apo A1 levels in the normal range, especially during adolescence, are likely to be influenced by multiple factors without significant contribution from major genes.
Chien
Kuo-Liong
KL
Institute of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. klchien@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
Chen
Wei J
WJ
Hsu
Hsiu-Ching
HC
Su
Ta-Chen
TC
Chen
Ming-Fong
MF
Lee
Yuan-Teh
YT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D020090:Chromosome Segregation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D013624:Taiwan
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I