Lawn R M
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5246.
Chem Phys Lipids. 1994 Jan;67-68:19-23. doi: 10.1016/0009-3084(94)90120-1.
The human genome contains at least six homologues of the apolipoprotein(a) and plasminogen genes, which contain over 90% identity in the region corresponding to 5' flanking sequences and exon one. This region of the apolipoprotein(a) gene contains transcription control elements, and sequence differences in this region account for some of the variation in plasma Lp(a) concentration. Transgenic mice expressing human apolipoprotein(a) develop aortic lesions resembling the early stages of human atherosclerosis after 3.5 months on a high fat diet. The transgenic mouse model should prove a useful system for studying the role of apolipoprotein(a) in disease.
