The WWOX gene modulates high-density lipoprotein and lipid metabolism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol constitutes a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. Recent studies from our group reported a genetic association between the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene and HDL cholesterol levels. Here, through next-generation resequencing, in vivo functional studies and gene microarray analyses, we investigated the role of WWOX in HDL and lipid metabolism.

Methods and results

Using next-generation resequencing of the WWOX region, we first identified 8 variants significantly associated and perfectly segregating with the low-HDL trait in 2 multigenerational French Canadian dyslipidemic families. To understand in vivo functions of WWOX, we used liver-specific Wwox(hep-/-) and total Wwox(-/-) mice models,

SUBMITTER: Iatan I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4315188 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature