Scientists
have discovered a previously unrecognized gene variation that can cut the risk
of heart attack by helping humans maintain healthier lipid levels. Two scientists
from Indian origin were also involved in this discovery.
The US
and Norwegian scientists have identified the gene. According to them the gene
was hiding in plain sight and had eluded previous search for genes influencing
cardiovascular risk.
According
to the journal ‘Nature Genetics’, this gene could now be factored into the
testing or treatment of high cholesterol and other lipid disorders.
In 2008
the same research team in their study had reported the DNA region from where
the gene is discovered to be important in controlling blood lipid levels but could
not find any genes with any visible link to blood lipid levels. It took almost
six years to find an entirely new lipid-related gene.
Scientists
from University of Michigan and Norwegian University of Science and Technology said
they zeroed in on the gene in an entirely novel way.
They examined
genetic information available from Norwegians bio bank focusing on variations
in genes that change the way proteins function. Most of the gene they found was
already known but one gene named TM6SF2 which was not on the radar at all.
Some of
the Norwegians who have gone through a particular change in the gene had much
healthier blood lipid levels and also had a lower rate of heart attack. The
same effect was seen when the researchers stemmed the gene in mice.
Cristen
Willer of the University of Michigan and lead author of the paper said that while
genetic studies that focused on common variations may explain as much as 30
percent of the genetic component of lipid disorders, it is not yet known from
where the rest of the genetic risk come. He also said that their approach of
focusing on protein changing variation may help them zero in on new genes
faster.
Kristian
Hveem who is a Gastroenterologist of the Norwegian University of Science and
Technology also helped Willer for the study.
Kristian
said that more research will be needed to understand the exact function of this
protein and the role it plays in these two diseases and whether it can be
targeted with new drug therapies to reduce risk or to treat one or both
diseases.
The
experiment has become successful as a result of efficient screening of
thousands of Norwegian samples along with clinical information collected over a period of 30 years.
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