Seven New Cholesterol Genes Discovered(ciated incidence of different variants w...),Health

Future research centering on the newly identified genes could produce "drugs that are as effective as statins in affecting the risk of heart disease," Abecasis said.

Another paper in the same issue of the journal reported the possible discovery of the long-sought "thrifty gene," whose existence was proposed more than three decades ago.

A study of more than a half-million genetic variants in 2,000 Europeans and Indian Asians found that a gene designated MLXIPL works the way the thrifty gene is said to do, turning excess blood glucose into fat tissue.

"These genes are advantageous during times of famine," said research leader Dr. James Scott, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Imperial College in London.

However, in this era of plenty, the thrifty gene can be a serious problem.

"It's hard to say we've proved that it is a thrifty gene," Scott said. "But it looks like it has all the characteristics of such a gene. We hope this goes a long way toward proving it."

The thrifty gene would be "part of the very complex genetics of a complex disease such as obesity or of heart disease," Scott said. "This would be another step on the pathway of understanding why a person's family history is an indication of the risk of cardiovascular disease."

More information

The different cholesterols are described by the American Heart Association.

SOURCES: Goncalo Abecasis, Ph.D., associate professor, biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor; James Scott, M.D., professor, cardiovascular medicine, Imperial College, London; Jan. 13, 20
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