Premium
Rhesus monkey ( Macaca mulatta ) lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein(a): high frequency of small size apolipoprotein(a) isoforms
Author(s) -
Enkhmaa Byambaa,
Abbuthalha Adnan,
Anuurad Erdembileg,
Zhang Wei,
Tarantal Alice F.,
Berglund Lars
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of medical primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1600-0684
pISSN - 0047-2565
DOI - 10.1111/jmp.12160
Subject(s) - lipoprotein(a) , apolipoprotein b , allele , biology , lipoprotein , medicine , gene isoform , genotype , endocrinology , apolipoprotein e , phenotype , genetics , gene , cholesterol , disease
Background Levels of lipoprotein(a), Lp(a), a genetically regulated independent cardiovascular risk factor present in humans and Old World monkeys, are impacted by the apolipoprotein(a), apo(a), gene. Allele‐specific apo(a) levels, taking both the apo(a) genotypic and phenotypic characteristics into account, are useful markers to determine atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk. Methods We determined (i) the genetic variability of apo(a), (ii) Lp(a) levels, and (iii) allele‐specific apo(a) levels in rhesus monkeys (n = 95). Results Lp(a) levels differed substantially between animals (range: 4–247 nmol/l) with a skewed distribution toward lower levels. Lp(a) and allele‐specific apo(a) levels were inversely related to the number of apo(a) Kringle 4 (K4) repeats. The median apo(a) size was 23 K4 repeats, and the prevalence of a small size apo(a) (≤22 K4) was 43%. Conclusions Distribution of Lp(a) and allele‐specific apo(a) levels in rhesus monkeys reflected the corresponding human patterns, but with a high prevalence of smaller apo(a) sizes.