Mapping a gene involved in regulating dietary cholesterol absorption. The sitosterolemia locus is found at chromosome 2p21

Shailendra B. Patel, Gerald Salen, Hideki Hidaka, Peter O. Kwiterovich, Anton F H Stalenhoef, Tatu A. Miettinen, Scott M Grundy, Mi Hye Lee, Jeffrey S. Runenstein, Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, Michael J. Brownstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

161 Scopus citations

Abstract

The molecular mechanisms regulating the amount of dietary cholesterol retained in the body as well as the body's ability to selectively exclude other dietary sterols are poorly understood. Studies of the rare autosomal recessively inherited disease sitosterolemia (OMIM 210250) may shed some light on these processes. Patients suffering from this disease appear to hyperabsorb both cholesterol and plant sterols from the intestine. Additionally, there is failure of the liver's ability to preferentially and rapidly excrete these non-cholesterol sterols into bile. Consequently, people who suffer from this disease have very elevated plasma plant sterol levels and develop tendon and tuberous xanthomas, accelerated atherosclerosis, and premature coronary artery disease. Identification of this gene defect may therefore throw light on regulation of net dietary cholesterol absorption and lead to an advancement in the management of this important cardiovascular risk factor. By studying 10 well-characterized families with this disorder, we have localized the genetic defect to chromosome 2p21, between microsatellite markers D2S1788 and D2S1352 (maximum lodscore 4.49, θ = 0.0).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1041-1044
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation
Volume102
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 1998

Keywords

  • Chromosomal localization
  • Genetics
  • Linkage analyses
  • Sitosterolemia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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