Expressed hypervariable polymorphism of apolipoprotein (a).

Elevated plasma lipoprotein (a) (LP(a] levels are an independent predictor of the development of premature atherosclerosis in humans. The LP(a) particle consists of two disulfide-linked proteins, apolipoprotein (APO) B and APO(a). The APO(a) is a highly glycosylated protein which carries the LP(a) antigen. Genetic polymorphism in the APO(a) molecule has been reported, and, depending on the sensitivity of the method used, 6-11 alleles at the APO(a) structural locus have been documented in the literature. In this investigation, we have used a high-resolution SDS-agarose electrophoresis method followed by immunoblotting to screen APO(a) polymorphism in 54 families with 130 offspring. This method identified a total of 23 different APO(a) isoforms, and their genetic basis was confirmed in families. In addition to the detectable products of 23 APO(a) alleles, the family data predict the existence of a "null" allele. Of the total 270 individuals tested, 209 (77.4%) revealed double-banded phenotypes and 61 (22.6%) revealed single-banded phenotypes. In the unrelated sample of 140 individuals, however, 114 (81.4%) and 26 (18.6%) had double- and single-banded phenotypes, respectively. When the segregation pattern of single-banded phenotypes in the unrelated sample was followed in families, only nine (6.4%) were found to be true homozygotes, and the remaining 17 (12.2%) were classified as heterozygotes for the null allele. Of the 276 possible phenotypes predicted for 23 alleles in a large population, we observed 115 (42%) phenotypes in our restricted sample. On the basis of our results from the family data, we hypothesize the existence of at least 24 alleles, including a null allele, at the APO(a) structural locus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)