title: Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and allele frequencies in the Lebanese population.
abstract: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotypes were studied in order to determine the prevalence in the Lebanese population and compare it with other populations. DNA from 160 unrelated healthy donors from our HLA-bank was used. ApoE genotype was determined using the CardioVascular Disease (CVD) StripAssay (this assay is based on a Polymerase Chain Reaction-Reverse Hybridization technique). The prevalence of genotypes E3/3, E3/4, and E2/3 was found to be 69%, 26%, and 22%, respectively, and 0.6% for each of E2/4 and E4/4 genotypes. The Lebanese population tested showed similarities to earlier reported ApoE genotypic distributions (high E3 allele frequency) but also peculiar differences especially to some Arabic countries (total absence of E2 allele among Saudis) and other populations. This is the first report from Lebanon that will serve as a template for future investigations of the prevalence of ApoE alleles in association with various clinical entities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Riad El Solh, 1107 2020, P.O Box 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon. rm11@aub.edu.lb
authors.forename: Rami A R
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mahfouz
authors.forename: Amira S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Sabbagh
authors.forename: Laila F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Zahed
authors.forename: Ziyad R
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Mahfoud
authors.forename: Rana F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Kalmoni
authors.forename: Zaher K
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Otrock
authors.forename: Ali T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Taher
authors.forename: Ghazi S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Zaatari
mesh_terms: D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011153:Population / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E