New gene-scanning approach finds link to heart attack risk 'hiding in plain sight'

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As scanning genomes for disease-related gene variations becomes more commonplace, scientists are pinpointing gene variations that change the way proteins function. Using this approach, a new study found a previously unknown gene variation that appears to make blood lipid levels healthier in humans and reduce risk of heart attacks.

The study researchers, from the University of Michigan and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, report their findings in Nature Genetics. They hope the discovery will lead to new ways of testing or treating patients with high cholesterol and other lipid disorders.

They explain that by looking at the genetic code differently - such as looking for how it influences the way proteins behave - they found the gene hiding in plain sight in previous searches for cardiovascular risk genes.

Senior author Cristen Willer, assistant professor of Internal Medicine, Human Genetics and Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics at the University of Michigan Medical School, says:

"While genetic studies that focused on common variations may explain as much as 30% of the genetic component of lipid disorders, we still don't know where the rest of the genetic risk comes from. This approach of focusing on protein-changing variation may help us zero in on new genes faster."

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New gene-scanning approach finds link to heart attack risk 'hiding in plain sight'