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The Autosomal Short Tandem Repeat Polymorphisms Are Potentially Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Predisposition
Ana Karina Zambrano1, Santiago Cadena-Ullauri1, Patricia Guevara-Ramírez1
1Centro de Investigación Genética y Genómica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Eugenio Espejo, Universidad UTE, Quito, Ecuador.
Insights
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a global health crisis. This review compares autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) frequencies in Latin American populations to other groups, identifying potential markers for inherited cardiac conditions.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Cardiovascular Health
- Population Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality globally and in Latin America.
- Risk factors for CVDs include aging, poor diet, obesity, smoking, and sedentary lifestyles.
- Latin America's population exhibits diverse ancestry (African, European, Native American), influencing genetic predispositions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphism frequencies in Latin American populations with other global populations.
- To identify potential STR markers associated with cardiovascular disease predisposition in diverse ethnic groups.
Main Methods:
- Review and comparison of existing literature on autosomal STR allele frequencies.
- Analysis of STR variations across different ancestral components within Latin America and globally.
- Evaluation of STRs as potential genetic markers for cardiovascular conditions.
Main Results:
- Significant allele frequency variations of autosomal STRs exist between different populations, including those in Latin America.
- Evidence suggests STR variations in noncoding DNA may impact gene regulation and disease predisposition.
- Specific STR polymorphisms may serve as markers for inherited cardiac conditions.
Conclusions:
- Autosomal STRs exhibit population-specific frequencies, highlighting their potential in understanding ethnic-specific disease risks.
- STR analysis offers a valuable tool for identifying genetic predispositions to cardiovascular diseases in diverse populations.
- Further research into STRs can enhance personalized medicine approaches for cardiovascular health in Latin America and beyond.
Abstract:
According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide across nearly all ethnic groups. Inherited cardiac conditions comprise a wide spectrum of diseases that affect the heart, including abnormal structural features and functional impairments. In Latin America, CVDs are the leading cause of death within the region. Factors such as population aging, unhealthy diet, obesity, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle have increased the risk of CVD. The Latin American population is characterized by its diverse ethnic composition with varying percentages of each ancestral component (African, European, and Native American ancestry). Short tandem repeats (STRs) are DNA sequences with 2-6 base pair repetitions and constitute ~3% of the human genome. Importantly, significant allele frequency variations exist between different populations. While studies have described that STRs are in noncoding regions of the DNA, increasing evidence suggests that simple sequence repeat variations may be critical for proper gene activity and regulation. Furthermore, several STRs have been identified as potential disease predisposition markers. The present review is aimed at comparing and describing the frequencies of autosomal STR polymorphisms potentially associated with cardiovascular disease predisposition in Latin America compared with other populations.
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