Abstract
BackgroundStudies of the genetic and environmental influences on apolipoproteins have been conducted, but few have used data from Japanese twins. The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the genetic and environmental causes of individual differences in the serum concentrations of apolipoproteins in Japanese middle-aged twins.MethodsApo A-I, apo A-II, apo B, apo C-II, apo C-III, and apo E were studied. A total of 142 twin pairs, aged 45 through 65 years, were enrolled: 85 monozygotic pairs (59 male, 26 female) and 57 same-sexed dizygotic pairs (43 male, 14 female). The intraclass correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling were used to estimate the best-fitting model and heritability.ResultsSixteen percent to 75% of the total variances of apo A-I, apo C-II, and apo C-III were attributable to genetic influence; apo A-I and apo C-II were influenced by dominant genetic factors. Twenty percent to 73% of the total variances of apo A-II, apo B, and apo E were attributable to additive genetic influence; apo B was clearly influenced by common environmental factors. Furthermore, the heritability of all apolipoproteins was higher among females than among males.ConclusionsGenetic factors, including additive genetic effects (A) and dominant effects (D), influence apolipoprotein levels. However, a common environment does not influence the variances of these apolipoproteins, with the exception of apo B. Furthermore, the heritability of apolipoprotein phenotypes differs by sex.
Highlights
Apolipoproteins are proteins that bind to fats to form a lipoprotein
In a comparison of men and women, a significant (P < 0.05) difference was noted in the levels of all apolipoproteins except apo A-II and apo C-II; all apolipoprotein levels were higher in women than in men
Apo A-II, apo B, and apo E were better fitted to the ACE model, and the total variance of apolipoproteins that was attributable to additive genetic influence ranged from 20% to 73%
Summary
Apolipoproteins are proteins that bind to fats (lipids) to form a lipoprotein. They are synthesized in the liver and intestine and form lipoproteins that transport dietary fats through the bloodstream. There are 6 major classes of apolipoproteins, and several subclasses These include A (apo A-I, apo A-II, apo A-IV, and apo A-V), B (apo B48 and apo B100), C (apo C-I, apo C-II, apo C-III, and apo C-IV), D, E, and H. Studies of the genetic and environmental influences on apolipoproteins have been conducted, but few have used data from Japanese twins. Results: Sixteen percent to 75% of the total variances of apo A-I, apo C-II, and apo C-III were attributable to genetic influence; apo A-I and apo C-II were influenced by dominant genetic factors. Twenty percent to 73% of the total variances of apo A-II, apo B, and apo E were attributable to additive genetic influence; apo B was clearly influenced by common environmental factors.
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