Signatures of positive selection on the hepatic lipase gene in human populations

The hepatic lipase plays a central role in the lipid metabolism, catalyzing the hydrolysis of phospholipids, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and triglycerides, and acyl-CoA. It is also implied in the conversion of very low-density lipoprotein and intermediate density lipoprotein to low density lipoproteins. As a consequence, the gene encoding the hepatic lipase (LIPC) is associated with several diseases derived from the imbalance of lipids that are in general derived from the interaction between life styles and genetic architecture. Therefore, it is interesting to understand more about the characteristics of the microevolutionary processes affecting genes that, like LIPC, have a role in nutrition and lipid metabolism in human populations. We explored the selection signatures on LIPC in 26 populations, detecting three regions under recent positive selection.