Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

09:30
Phosphopeptide Analysis of Rodent Epididymal Spermatozoa
Published on: December 30, 2014
A sex-specific evolutionary interaction between ADCY9 and CETP
Isabel Gamache1,2, Marc-André Legault1,2,3, Jean-Christophe Grenier2
1Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
Elife
|October 5, 2021
Summary
Genetic variants in ADCY9 and CETP show sex-specific selection and interact to influence cardiovascular traits. This suggests a coevolutionary link between ADCY9, important for dalcetrapib response, and its therapeutic target CETP.
Area of Science:
- Human evolutionary genetics
- Pharmacogenomics
- Cardiovascular disease research
Background:
- Pharmacogenomic studies link ADCY9 (adenylyl cyclase type 9) rs1967309 to dalcetrapib response.
- The underlying mechanism of this pharmacogenomic association remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the evolutionary basis and biological mechanism of the ADCY9-dalcetrapib pharmacogenomic interaction.
- Characterize population-level genetic signals and sex-specific effects.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of population genetic data for positive selection signatures.
- Identification of linkage disequilibrium between ADCY9 and CETP variants.
- RNA-seq analysis to assess gene expression interactions.
- Examination of genotype-phenotype associations in human cohorts (Peruvian, LIMAA, UK Biobank).
Main Results:
- The ADCY9 rs1967309 region shows signatures of positive selection in multiple human populations.
- A CETP variant (rs158477) is in linkage disequilibrium with rs1967309, with sex-specific effects observed in Peruvians.
- Epistatic interactions between ADCY9 and CETP variants on CETP expression are sex-dependent.
- Interactions between these SNPs and sex influence cardiovascular phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- ADCY9 and CETP likely coevolved due to recent, sex-specific human selection.
- This evolutionary process suggests a biological link between ADCY9, the pharmacogene for dalcetrapib, and its therapeutic target CETP.
- Sex-specific genetic effects on cardiovascular traits are influenced by interactions between ADCY9 and CETP.
Related Concept Videos
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
The Y chromosome is a sex chromosome found in several vertebrates and mammals, including humans. In addition to 22 pairs of autosomes, the human males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. In these organisms, the presence or absence of the Y chromosome determines the development of male traits.
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes
In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female Drosophila...
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female Drosophila...
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Some GPCRs transmit signals through adenylyl cyclase (AC), a transmembrane enzyme. AC helps synthesize second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). AC catalyzes cyclization reaction and converts ATP to cAMP by releasing a pyrophosphate. The pyrophosphate is further hydrolyzed to phosphate by the enzyme pyrophosphatase, which drives cAMP synthesis to completion. However, cAMP is rapidly degraded to 5′ AMP by the enzymes phosphodiesterase (PDE), preventing overstimulation of cells.
Two...
Two...
Structure of Cadherins
The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins” is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This diversity of cadherins...
Catenins
Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
Cadherins in Tissue Organization
The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...

