The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene appears functionally monomorphic in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

ABSTRACT:

Background

The human apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is polymorphic, with three primary alleles (E2, E3, E4) that differ at two key non-synonymous sites. These alleles are functionally different in how they bind to lipoproteins, and this genetic variation is associated with phenotypic variation for several medical traits, including cholesterol levels, cardiovascular health, Alzheimer's disease risk, and longevity. The relative frequencies of these alleles vary across human populations, and the evolution and maintenance of this diversity is much debated. Previous studies comparing human and chimpanzee APOE sequences found that the chimpanzee sequence is most similar to the human E4 allele, although the resulting chimpanzee protein might function like the protein coded for by the human

SUBMITTER: McIntosh AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3480407 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature