Genetic variability of platelet glycoprotein Ibalpha gene.

Platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha is a critical component of platelet adhesion complex to subendothelium structures following tissue injury or pathological surfaces, such as atherosclerotic plaques. Polymorphisms of the GPIbalpha gene have been associated with a high risk for occlusive vascular disease, and its distribution varies considerably among distinct populations. These polymorphisms comprise the human platelet antigen (HPA)-2 system, the -5C/T dimorphism of the Kozak sequence, and the variable number of tandem 39-bp repeats (VNTR).