HapK Haplotype with LTA4H Gene Increases Risk of Heart Attack
A region of the genome, HapK, that includes the leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) gene appears to be associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction. Leukotrienes are inflammatory molecules that gather at injured blood vessels.
The association between the HapK phenotype and heart attacks has been observed in the following groups:
- Icelanders
- European-Americans have a 1.16 times greater risk of having a heart attack with the higher risk haplotype HapK.
- African-Americans have an almost 3 times greater risk.
Researchers believe that other genes or environmental risk factors account for the higher risk of heart attacks associated with the HapK allele in African-Americans.
The HapK haplotype is also more common in European-Americans than in African-Americans (about 27% carry at least one copy of HapK vs. 6% of African American controls). So if the HapK allele confers a greater risk of heart attacks and subsequent death in African-Americans, it’s possible that the lower allele frequency is because fewer African-Americans with the allele are alive.
These results remind me of Bidil, the controversial heart pill for African-Americans.
ETA: Just as I suspected, DeCode Genetics is behind this study. They’re interested in testing a new heart attack drug, DG031, and want to focus on African-Americans. (New York Times, November 11, 2005)
Thanks for the NY Times tip, Adelle!
Nature Genetics, November 10, 2005
Pointer from Free Association.
