Genetic and metabolic determinants of plasma PCSK9 levels.

ABSTRACT:

Context

PCSK9 is a secreted protein that influences plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and susceptibility to coronary heart disease. PCSK9 is present in human plasma, but the factors that contribute to differences in plasma concentrations of PCSK9 and how they impact on the levels of lipoproteins have not been well-characterized.

Objective

The aim of the study was to measure PCSK9 levels in a large, ethnically diverse population (n = 3138) utilizing a sensitive and specific sandwich ELISA.

Design

We conducted an observational study in the Dallas Heart Study, a multiethnic, probability-based sample of Dallas County.

Results

Plasma levels of PCSK9 varied over approximately 100-fold range (33-2988 ng/ml; median, 487 ng/ml). Levels were si

SUBMITTER: Lakoski SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2708952 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature