Recent studies have suggested that the Ile4399Met variant of the LPA gene is an independent predictor of risk for CHD in men and women and event reduction from low dose aspirin therapy in women. LPA encodes apolipoprotein(a), a protein component of Lp(a) plasma lipoprotein particles, and the gene variant results in an amino acid substitution (methionine for isoleucine) in the protease-like domain of apolipoprotein(a). Approximately 3.5% of Caucasians in studied populations are carriers of the Ile4399Met form of the LPA gene, and these carriers have also been found to have higher levels of plasma Lp(a). One of these studies also reported that a second LPA gene variant, rs10455872, was associated with about 1.5-fold increased risk of CHD. Approximately 15% of Caucasians in these populations were found to be carriers of the second risk variant.

"We're pleased with the publication of these data that resolve the association data of the 4-SNP combinations (haplotypes) in the LPA gene because they confirm our previously reported coronary heart disease risk findings," said Thomas White, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Celera. "Moreover, we believe this publication will motivate functional biology follow-up studies to gain insight into the mechanistic involvement of the LPA gene in disease. These studies also emphasize the field's growing appreciation of the role of less common alleles in risk for disease."

SOURCE Celera Corporation