Detection of a major gene effect for LDL peak particle diameter and association with apolipoprotein H gene haplotype

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) size, a coronary heart disease risk factor, is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Results from the Quebec Family Study (QFS) revealed that the LDL peak particle diameter (LDL-PPD) aggregates in families with a heritability coefficient above 50% and is affected by a major quantitative trait locus on chromosome 17q (LOD=6.8). Complex segregation analyses have consistently demonstrated a major gene effect influencing LDL size. In the present study, we report a similar analysis in the QFS cohort, which suggests that a major gene explains 23% of the variance in age-body mass index and triglyceride-adjusted LDL-PPD. The most intuitive positional candidate gene on chromosome 17q is the apolipoprotein H gene. Direct sequencing of the promoter, coding regions, and exon-intron splicing boundaries of this gene revealed the presence of three missense mutations and two polymorphisms in the untranslated regions. Using family-based association tests, none of these variants was individually associated with LDL-PPD. However, analysis of the haplotypes constructed from the three missense mutations, suggested that one particular haplotype (frequency=20.9%) was associated with a significant increase in LDL-PPD trait values (p=0.046). Taken together, these results suggest the presence of a major gene effect influencing LDL-PPD and a positive association with a positional candidate gene located on chromosome 17q. Replication of the association between apolipoprotein H gene haplotype and LDL-PPD is required before reaching firm conclusion.