Title
Plasma Lipoproteins: Genetic Influences and Clinical Implications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2009
Journal
Nature Reviews Genetics
Volume
10
Issue
2
First Page
109
Last Page
121
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1038/nrg2481
Abstract
Susceptibility to the growing global public health problem of cardiovascular disease is associated with levels of plasma lipids and lipoproteins. Several experimental strategies have helped us to clarify the genetic architecture of these complex traits, including classical studies of monogenic dyslipidaemias, resequencing, phenomic analysis and, more recently, genome-wide association studies and analysis of metabolic networks. The genetic basis of plasma lipoprotein levels can now be modelled as a mosaic of contributions from multiple DNA sequence variants, both rare and common, with varying effect sizes. In addition to filling gaps in our understanding of plasma lipoprotein metabolism, the recent genetic advances will improve our ability to classify, diagnose and treat dyslipidaemias.
