The Common Polymorphism of Apolipoprotein E: Geographical Aspects and New Pathophysiological Relations
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Lars Ulrik Gerdes
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E (apoE) has important functions in systemic and local lipid transport, but also has other functions. The gene (APOE) shows a common polymorphism with three alleles – APOE*2, APOE*3, and APOE*4. Their frequencies vary substantially around the world, but APOE*3 is the most common almost everywhere and is often considered to be the ancestral or “wild-type” allele for that reason. However, there are several arguments for APOE*4 being the ancestral allele. But then, why has APOE*3 become so frequent? And why has APOE*4 not become extinct? The proportion of APOE*4 carriers increases from only 10–15% in southern Europe to 40–50% in the north. The gradient may be a trace of the demic expansion of agriculture that began about 10,000 years ago, but it may also reflect the possibility that APOE*4 carriers are less likely to develop vitamin D deficiency. The common APOE polymorphism is associated with varying risk of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease, but other interesting aspects may emerge in the future.
Copyright © 2003 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
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Articles in the same Issue
- Laboratory Quality Control: Using Patient Data to Assess Analytical Performance
- The Common Polymorphism of Apolipoprotein E: Geographical Aspects and New Pathophysiological Relations
- Pentanucleotide TTTTA and G/A –914 DNA Polymorphisms in Apolipoprotein(a) Promoter: Genotyping by Single-Tube PCR
- Study of Apo(a) Length Polymorphism and Lipoprotein(a) Concentrations in Subjects with Single or Double Apo(a) Isoforms
- Early Detection of Peritonitis in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients by Cytokine Measurements
- Hematopoietic Growth Factors in Colorectal Cancer Patients
- Chylomicron Remnant Concentrations in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
- Follicular Fluid Renin Concentration in Patients with Polycystic Ovaries Treated with Gonadotrophins in an in vitro Fertilisation Programme
- Utilization of Common Inflammatory Markers in New, Symptomatic, Primary Care Outpatients Based on Their Cost-Effectiveness
- Hyperhomocysteinemia and End-Stage Renal Disease: Determinants and Association with Cardiovascular Disease in Tunisian Patients
- Folate and Cobalamin Levels as Determinants of Plasma Homocysteine in Different Age Groups of Healthy Controls and Psychogeriatric Patients
- Influence of Gender on Circulating Cardiac Natriuretic Hormones in Patients with Heart Failure
- Requirements for Reproducibility, Trueness and Error of Measurement in Internal Quality Control Schemes
- Measurements of Serum S-100B Protein: Effects of Storage Time and Temperature on Pre-Analytical Stability
- Automated Serum Protein Electrophoresis by Capillarys®
- Using Interactive Software to Teach Image-Based Clinical Laboratory Tests in Developing Countries: A Pilot Trial in Nepal
- Graduate and Postgraduate Diploma and Degree Programs in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Meetings and Awards
