Association between the rs634501 polymorphism and serum lipid traits in the Chinese Han and Maonan ethnic groups.

Little is known about the association of monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 gene () rs634501 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and serum lipid profiles in the Chinese populations. The aim of this study was to detect the association of the rs634501 SNP and several environmental factors with serum lipid levels in the Chinese Maonan and Han populations. Genotypes of the SNP in 2014 unrelated participants (Han, 986; Maonan, 1028) were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis, and confirmed by direct sequencing. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of the rs634501 SNP were significantly different between the Han and Maonan populations as well as between males and females in the Maonan population. The A allele carriers had lower serum apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 levels, the ApoA1/ApoB ratio and higher ApoB levels in Maonans; and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ApoA1 levels, ApoA1/ApoB ratio, and higher triglyceride levels in Han than the A allele non-carriers. There were also different associations of the rs634501 SNP and serum lipid profiles between males and females in the both ethnic groups. Serum lipid parameters in the two ethnic groups were also associated with several environmental factors. These results suggest that the association of the rs634501 SNP and serum lipid parameters might have ethnic- and/or sex-specificity.