A team of researchers from the Texas Biomedical Research Institute reporting online in the Journal of Lipid Research has identified 4 genes in baboons that influence levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol.

The team screened a baboon colony of 1,500 animals to find three half-siblings with low levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL), or ‘bad,’ cholesterol, and three half-siblings with high levels of LDL.

These animals were fed a high-cholesterol, high-fat diet for seven weeks. Scientists then used gene array technology and high throughput sequencers to home in on the genes expressed in the two groups and differentiate those in the low LDL groups from those in the high LDL group.

“Our findings are important because they provide new targets for the development of novel drugs to reduce heart disease risk in humans,” said senior author Dr Laura Cox.

“Since these genes have previously been associated with cancer, our findings suggest that genetic causes of heart disease may overlap with causes of some types of cancer.”

The team discovered that four genes named TENC1, ERBB3, ACVR1B, and DGKA, influence LDL levels. Interestingly, these four genes are part of a signaling pathway important for cell survival and disruption of this pathway promotes some types of cancer.

It is well-known that a high level of LDL is a major risk factor for heart disease. Despite concerted efforts for the past 25 years to manage cholesterol levels through changes in lifestyle and treatment with medications, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and around the world.

To understand why humans have different levels of LDL and thus variation in risk for heart disease, the genetic factors causing these differences need to be understood. However, these studies are difficult to do in humans because it’s practically impossible to control what people eat. Instead, the scientists are using baboons, which are similar to humans in their physiology and genetics, to identify genes that influence heart disease risk.

The research also suggests that knowing many of the genes responsible for heart disease may be necessary to devise effective treatments. For example, several genes may need to be targeted at once to control risk.

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Bibliographic information: Genesio M. Karere et al. Identification of candidate genes encoding an LDL-C QTL in baboons. The Journal of Lipid Research, published online April 17, 2013; doi: 10.1194/jlr.M032649