Genetic link to heart disease uncovered
The research is described as an important step
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Friday, 04, May 2007 02:06
Scientists have identified a new stretch of DNA in people's genetic make-up that increases their risk of suffering from a heart attack.
The discovery, published in the journal Science, was made by two independent groups of researchers. The increased risk is associated with Caucasians – people from Europe, western Asia and parts of India and north Africa.
Using a method called genome-wide association scanning, the research teams studied the genomes of people who had suffered a heart attack and people with coronary heart disease as well as those of healthy people to provide comparison.
During this survey they analysed thousands of DNA markers located in the genomes.
The researchers discovered a genetic region on chromosome 9p21 that was associated with heart disease.
People carrying two copies of the so-called 'risk allele' (about 25 per cent of Caucasians) were found to have a 30 to 40 per cent higher risk of heart disease than individuals who carry no copies.
Individuals with a single copy have a moderate risk. Despite the discovery it is still unclear what the mechanism is behind the finding.
Commenting on the study, Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: "Trying to find genes that put some families at an increased risk of heart attacks is like trying to find a collection of needles scattered amongst a field full of hay stacks.
"The significance of these two studies is that two independent research teams have homed in on the same hay stack – a region of DNA within chromosome 9. This makes it very likely that they are close to identifying a needle – an important gene in that region.
"However, this will take a lot more research and – once found – the gene will be only one of several that are important. This research represents an important step along a very long journey, but a step in the right direction."