Unlabelled: Background- Variation in LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) among individuals is a complex genetic trait involving multiple genes and gene-environment interactions.
Methods And Results: In a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic variants influencing LDL-C in an isolated population from Kosrae, we observed associations for SNPs in the gene encoding 3hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-coenzyme A (CoA) reductase (HMGCR). Three of these SNPs (rs7703051, rs12654264, and rs3846663) met the statistical threshold of genome-wide significance when combined with data from the Diabetes Genetics Initiative GWAS. We followed up the association results and identified a functional SNP in intron13 (rs3846662), which was in linkage disequilibrium with the SNPs of genome-wide significance and affected alternative splicing of HMGCR mRNA. In vitro studies in human lymphoblastoid cells demonstrated that homozygosity for the rs3846662 minor allele was associated with up to 2.2-fold lower expression of alternatively spliced HMGCR mRNA lacking exon13, and minigene transfection assays confirmed that allele status at rs3846662 directly modulated alternative splicing of HMGCR exon13 (42.9+/-3.9 versus 63.7+/-1.0%Deltaexon13/total HMGCR mRNA, P=0.02). Further, the alternative splice variant could not restore HMGCR activity when expressed in HMGCR deficient UT-2 cells.
Conclusions: We identified variants in HMGCR that are associated with LDL-C across populations and affect alternative splicing of HMGCR exon13.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.108.172288 | DOI Listing |
Prog Biophys Mol Biol
January 2025
Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain.
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January 2025
Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Medical and Surgical Research, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
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January 2025
Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Kitaku, Tsushimanaka, Okayama 700-8530, Japan; Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Kitaku, Tsushimanaka, Okayama 700-8530, Japan. Electronic address:
Bird contour feathers exhibit a complex hierarchical structure composed of a rachis, barbs, and barbules, with barbules playing a crucial role in maintaining feather structure and function. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying barbule formation is essential for advancing our knowledge of avian biology and evolution. In this study, we identified a novel gene, pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), using microarray analysis, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization.
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Central Laboratory of Harbin Medical University (Daqing), Daqing 163319, PR China; College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, PR China. Electronic address:
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a malignant cardiovascular disease with a complex etiology. 5-Methylcytosine (m5C) is a post-transcriptional RNA modification identified in both stable and highly abundant RNAs, with a lower frequency of occurrence in circular RNAs (circRNAs). Nevertheless, the function of m5C-modified circRNAs in the pathogenesis of PH remains uncertain.
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