Polymorphism at the apoprotein-E locus in relation to risk of coronary disease.

The frequency of genotypes at the polymorphic locus which codes for Apoprotein-E, an important constituent of very low density serum lipoprotein, has been determined in a random sample of persons between the ages of 45 and 60 years, born in the Grampian Region of North East Scotland. Three alleles, EII, EIII and EIV occur with a frequency of respectively 0.08, 0.77 and 0.15. In a random sample of survivors of myocardial infarction, born in the same region, genotype EIVEIII occurs more and EIIIEII less frequently than expected. Also the mean age at first infarction is lower in men for genotype EIVEIII than for other genotypes. Commonly occurring genotypes at this locus apparently influence the risk of coronary disease. A prospective study is needed to show how the genetic effects are expressed.