Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial disease influenced by various genetic factors involved in accumulation of atherosclerosis in the walls of the coronary arteries. Many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with CAD.
Material/methods: DNA samples were extracted from peripheral white blood cells and 32 tag SNPs of 12 genes (ADD1, PECAM-1, CRP, ecNOS, PC-1, SELL, GNB3, ACE, AT1R, AGT, MTHFR and HL) that were listed in International Haplotype Map (hapmap) for Chinese people of Han ethnicity in Beijing (CHB) were selected for use in the current work. Genotypes of SNPs were investigated with the Genome Lab SNP stream genotyping system after polymerase chain reaction, extension and hybridization were performed. The levels of the biochemical index were detected with the Roche 7600 automatic biochemical modular system.
Results: The genotype and/or allele frequencies of 6 tag SNPs in CRP, ecNOS, PC-1 and ACE genes were significantly different between CAD and control groups. According to the linkage-disequilibrium levels of SNPs, the haplotypes were constructed and the results showed that the frequencies of the constructed haplotypes of ecNOS, PC-1 and ACE genes were associated with CAD. Genotypes of CRP and ACE genes were associated with serum CRP and ACE levels.
Conclusions: Six SNPs that were discovered and were associated with CAD may help in explaining the molecular basis of the disorder and the susceptibility to coronary atherosclerosis. It can also help identify early prediction, prevention and therapy for CAD.