title: Structure, function, and genetics of lipoprotein (a).
abstract: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] has attracted the interest of researchers and physicians due to its intriguing properties, including an intragenic multiallelic copy number variation in the LPA gene and the strong association with coronary heart disease (CHD). This review summarizes present knowledge of the structure, function, and genetics of Lp(a) with emphasis on the molecular and population genetics of the Lp(a)/LPA trait, as well as aspects of genetic epidemiology. It highlights the role of genetics in establishing Lp(a) as a risk factor for CHD, but also discusses uncertainties, controversies, and lack of knowledge on several aspects of the genetic Lp(a) trait, not least its function.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Human Genetics Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria Genetic Epidemiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Genetic Epidemiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noureen
authors.affiliation: Genetic Epidemiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2229-1120
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kronenberg
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Human Genetics Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria gerd.utermann@i-med.ac.at.
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Utermann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D000072417:Protein Domains
chemical_list: D017270:Lipoprotein(a)
keywords: Mendelian randomization; cardiovascular risk factor; copy number variation; lipoprotein metabolism