GATA2 Gene and Coronary Artery Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in industrialized countries. The latest gene found to be associated with coronary artery disease is GATA2 on chromosome 3, a transcription factor that regulates the activity of other genes. GATA2 appears to behave differently in hearts with damaged aortas.

Researchers are already talking about using this type of genetic information to create “a profile of risk for developing cardiovascular disease.” But, the ability to predict who will develop heart disease is already fairly straightforward. Family history, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle are all contributing factors. Don’t be surprised to see the GATA2 gene listed on the back of a direct-to-consumer nutrigenomic DNA test sometime soon.

Medical News Today, August 28, 2006

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