Exome sequencing identifies 2 rare variants for low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in an extended family.

Background: Exome sequencing is a recently implemented method to discover rare mutations for Mendelian disorders. Less is known about its feasibility to identify genes for complex traits. We used exome sequencing to search for rare variants responsible for a complex trait, low levels of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).