title: Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and myocardial infarction.
abstract: Apolipoprotein (apo) E polymorphism has been widely studied and associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). Apo E is polymorphic, with three common alleles: epsilon 2, epsilon 3, and epsilon 4. Several studies have shown that epsilon 2 carriers have lower low-density lipoprotein and apo B levels and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apo A-I levels than epsilon 3 carriers. The opposite being found for epsilon 4 carriers compared with epsilon 3 carriers. Allele as well as genotype frequencies may vary in different populations. In Northern European populations, the epsilon 4 allele is more prevalent which may account for the higher CHD mortality rates. However, its positive association with the risk of CHD may be extended to all epsilon 4 allele carriers worldwide.
authors.forename: Genovefa D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Kolovou
authors.forename: Katherine K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Anagnostopoulou
authors.forename: Dennis V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Cokkinos
mesh_terms: D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E