Genome-wide association studies identify new targets in cardiovascular disease.
The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to increase worldwide, highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies. A recent meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of over 100,000 individuals published in Nature identified 59 new loci associated with lipid traits; of these, a locus on chromosome 1p13 was most strongly associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. An accompanying study in Nature identified SORT1 as the causal gene at the 1p13 locus and showed that increased expression of sortilin-1 protein in liver was associated with lower LDL-C levels and a reduced risk of myocardial infarction. Together, these studies provide strong validation of the utility of GWASs in identifying biological pathways relevant to CVD pathogenesis and perhaps treatment.
Calkin
Anna C
AC
Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Tontonoz
Peter
P
D033942:Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport / Q000235:genetics; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015894:Genome, Human; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000235:genetics; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D000099183:Sortilin
D033942:Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport; D008055:Lipids; D000099183:Sortilin