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Updated: May 5, 2026

Cholesterol Efflux Assay
Published on: March 6, 2012
Common genetic variation in ABCA1 is associated with altered lipoprotein levels and a modified risk for coronary
S M Clee1, A H Zwinderman, J C Engert
1Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Insights
Common variations in the ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1) gene impact high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. The R219K variant is linked to slower atherosclerosis progression and reduced CAD severity.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Cardiovascular Disease
- Molecular Biology and Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a known risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD).
- The ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1) gene is crucial for cholesterol efflux and HDL production.
- Genetic variations in ABCA1 are linked to HDL deficiency, dyslipidemia, and increased CAD risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of common genetic variations within the ABCA1 gene on plasma lipid levels.
- To determine the association between ABCA1 gene polymorphisms and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in the general population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of phenotypic effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding region of the ABCA1 gene.
- Examining the carrier frequency of the R219K variant in European populations.
- Assessing the impact of the R219K variant on CAD severity, atherosclerosis progression, plasma lipid levels, and coronary events.
Main Results:
- The R219K variant, with a 46% carrier frequency in Europeans, was associated with reduced CAD severity and slower atherosclerosis progression.
- Carriers of R219K showed decreased focal and diffuse atherosclerosis and fewer coronary events compared to non-carriers.
- R219K carriers exhibited decreased triglyceride levels and a trend towards increased HDL-C levels.
Conclusions:
- Common variations in the ABCA1 gene significantly influence plasma lipid profiles.
- Genetic variation in ABCA1 plays a substantial role in determining the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Background:
Low plasma HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). We recently identified the ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1) as the major gene underlying the HDL deficiency associated with reduced cholesterol efflux. Mutations within the ABCA1 gene are associated with decreased HDL-C, increased triglycerides, and an increased risk of CAD. However, the extent to which common variation within this gene influences plasma lipid levels and CAD in the general population is unknown.
Methods And Results:
We examined the phenotypic effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding region of ABCA1. The R219K variant has a carrier frequency of 46% in Europeans. Carriers have a reduced severity of CAD, decreased focal (minimum obstruction diameter 1.81+/-0.35 versus 1.73+/-0.35 mm in noncarriers, P:=0.001) and diffuse atherosclerosis (mean segment diameter 2.77+/-0.37 versus 2.70+/-0.37 mm, P:=0.005), and fewer coronary events (50% versus 59%, P:=0.02). Atherosclerosis progresses more slowly in carriers of R219K than in noncarriers. Carriers have decreased triglyceride levels (1.42+/-0.49 versus 1.84+/-0.77 mmol/L, P:=0.001) and a trend toward increased HDL-C (0.91+/-0.22 versus 0.88+/-0.20 mmol/L, P:=0.12). Other single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding region had milder effects on plasma lipids and atherosclerosis.
Conclusions:
These data suggest that common variation in ABCA1 significantly influences plasma lipid levels and the severity of CAD.
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