The invention offers an early detection method for atherosclerosis using
genetic analysis to detect a polymorphisms shown to be correlated with
this disease which are proximal to the apolipoprotein AI (apoAI) and
aplipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) gene complex. All individuals with a 300 bp
deletion 4 kb upstream of the apoAI gene are destined to experience severe
atherosclerotic symptomologies. Individuals with a polymorphism 5.4 kb 5'
of the apoAI gene or a PvuII polymorphism in the first intron of the
apoCIII gene also seem to be at greater risk. A haplotype with MspI and
XmnI/7.2 polymorphisms in this general region seem to be protected.
Additional polymorphic sites in the DNA sequence associated with the
apoAI/CIII gene complex provide a means for genetically fingerprinting
individuals, and for identifying persons at risk with respect to disorders
relating to lipid metabolism and transport.
