Common polymorphisms of ATP binding cassette transporter A1, including a functional promoter polymorphism, associated with plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in Turks.

The role of high levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in protection against development of atherosclerosis is generally attributed to its role in reverse cholesterol transport, and the ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a key element of this process. We examined polymorphisms in ABCA1 in Turks, a population characterized by very low HDL-C levels. We discovered 36 variations in ABCA1 and genotyped informative polymorphisms in over 2,300 subjects. The rare alleles of C-14T and V771M polymorphisms were associated with higher HDL-C levels in men and, in combination with the rare alleles of R219K and I883M, respectively, with higher HDL-C in both sexes. Rare alleles of the C-14T and V771M polymorphisms were more frequent in the high HDL-C (>OR=40mg/dl) than in the low HDL-C group (