Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr R Neely
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common single gene disorder, which predisposes to coronary artery disease. In a previous study, we have shown that in patients with definite FH around 20% had no identifiable gene defect after screening the entire exon coding area of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and testing for the common Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) R3500Q mutation. In this study, we have extended the screen to additional families and have included the non-coding intron splice regions of the gene. In families with definite FH (tendon xanthoma present, n = 68) the improved genetic screening protocol increased the detection rate of mutations to 87%. This high detection rate greatly enhances the potential value of this test as part of a clinical screening program for FH. In contrast, the use of a limited screen in patients with possible FH (n = 130) resulted in a detection rate of 26%, but this is still of significant benefit in diagnosis of this genetic condition. We have also shown that 14% of LDLR defects are due to splice site mutations and that the most frequent splice mutation in our series (c. 1845 + 11 c > g) is expressed at the RNA level. In addition, DNA samples from the patients in whom no LDLR or ApoB gene mutations were found, were sequenced for the NARC-1 gene. No mutations were identified which suggests that the role of NARC-1 in causing FH is minor. In a small proportion of families (<10%) the genetic cause of the high cholesterol remains unknown, and other genes are still to be identified that could cause the clinical phenotype FH. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Author(s): Graham CA, McIlhatton BP, Kirk CW, Beattie ED, Lyttle K, Hart P, Neely RDG, Young IS, Nicholls DP
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Atherosclerosis
Year: 2005
Volume: 182
Issue: 2
Pages: 331-340
ISSN (print): 0021-9150
ISSN (electronic): 1879-1484
Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2005.02.016
DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2005.02.016
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric
