Abstract-Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) facilitates the exchange of triglycerides and cholesteryl esters between lipoprotein particles, a key step in reverse cholesterol transport in humans. Variations at the CETP locus have been shown to be determinants of the levels and activity of CETP and high density lipoprotein (HDL) plasma concentration. The associations of the common CETP polymorphism, TaqIB in intron 1, with lipoprotein levels and particle size distribution, CETP activity, and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk were examined in a population-based sample of 1411 men and 1505 women from the Framingham Offspring Study. The B2 allele frequency was 0.444 in men and 0.433 in women, and its presence was significantly (PϽ0.05) associated with decreased CETP activity. B1B1 men had lower HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (1.07 mmol/L) compared with B1B2 (1.14 mmol/L) and B2B2 (1.18 mmol/L) men (PϽ0.001). Likewise, B1B1 women had lower HDL-C levels (1.40 mmol/L) compared with B1B2 (1.46 mmol/L) and B2B2 (1.53 mmol/L) women (PϽ0.001). In men, the B2 allele was associated with increased particle size for HDL and low density lipoprotein. In women, a similar effect was demonstrated only for HDL particle size. The odds ratio for prevalent CHD associated with the B2 allele was 0.696 (Pϭ0.035) in men. After adjusting for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, ␤-blocker use, total cholesterol, and HDL-C, this odds ratio was 0.735 (Pϭ0.187), suggesting that the protective effect of the B2 allele was due in part to its association with HDL-C levels. No significant protective effects were observed in women. These data demonstrate that variation at the CETP gene locus is a significant determinant of HDL-C levels, CETP activity, and lipoprotein size in this population. Moreover, these effects appear to translate into a lower CHD risk among those men with the B2 allele. Key Words: cholesteryl ester transfer protein Ⅲ coronary heart disease Ⅲ lipoproteins Ⅲ gene polymorphisms C holesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) facilitates the exchange of triglycerides and cholesteryl esters between lipoprotein particles. In humans, CETP mRNA encodes a polypeptide of M r 53 000, which is n-glycosylated at 4 sites, giving rise to the mature form of CETP of M r 74 000. 1 CETP is expressed primarily in liver, spleen, and adipose tissue, and lower levels have been detected in the small intestine, adrenal gland, heart, kidney, and skeletal muscle. 1,2 The CETP gene encompasses 16 exons, and it has been localized on chromosome 16q21 adjacent to the lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase gene. Several mutations at the CETP locus have been identified, resulting in the absence of detectable CETP mass and/or activity. 3 These mutations are common in Japanese populations, 4 -7 although some have been recently reported in white subjects. 8,9 CETP deficiency is associated with hyperalphalipoproteinemia, which is primarily due to an increase of cholesteryl ester-enriched large-sized HDL. Conversely, ...

Despite advances in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD), this group of multifactorial disorders remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. CVD is associated with multiple genetic and modifiable risk factors; however, known environmental and genetic influences can only explain a small part of the variability in CVD risk, which is a major obstacle for its prevention and treatment. A more thorough understanding of the factors that contribute to CVD is, therefore, needed to develop more efficacious and cost-effective therapy. Application of the ‘omics’ technologies will hopefully make these advances a reality. Epigenomics has emerged as one of the most promising areas that will address some of the gaps in our current knowledge of the interaction between nature and nurture in the development of CVD. Epigenetic mechanisms include DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA alterations, which collectively enable the cell to respond quickly to environmental changes. A number of CVD risk factors, such as nutrition, smoking, pollution, stress, and the circadian rhythm, have been associated with modification of epigenetic marks. Further examination of these mechanisms may lead to earlier prevention and novel therapy for CVD.