CCF researchers find genetic link for heart disease

[Southern Hick]

check this out...


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The first gene linked directly to heart attacks has been isolated from an extended Iowa family that has been plagued for generations with rampant coronary artery disease.

The gene, called MEF2A, plays a role in protecting the artery walls from building up plaque that can impede blood flow and lead to heart attacks, said Dr. Eric J. Topol of the Cleveland Clinic, head of a team that discovered the gene.

"This is the first heart attack gene," said Topol. "Everyone who has this gene mutation is destined to have the disease. If you don't have this gene in this family, you appear to free from developing this disease."

A report on the discovery Friday was in the journal Science.

Topol said that his team analyzed the genes of about 100 members of an Iowa family where heart disease and heart attack have been common for generation after generation. They found that members of the family with heart disease had a MEF2A gene that lacked some key bits of DNA. This apparently causes the arteries to thicken and become clogged.

It will take more study to determine if MEF2A plays a role in heart disease among people outside of families where the mutation is inherited. The gene makes a protein that regulates some other genes and Topol said those will now be analyzed to see if they can be linked generally to heart disease.

"We have learned from other genetic studies that once you get the first gene it starts to unlock the whole story," said Topol.

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[ckent]

Hmmm. I don't know why these researchers are calling this gene the "first heart attack gene". There have been tons of genes out there that have been shown to predispose people to heart disease (LDL receptor, ApoE4, etc). What's even more curious though, is how they published in Science even though their research seemed very clinical. I thought that Science only covered basic science stuff. I've never heard of a clinician reading Science for anything other then as leisure reading.

 

[BellKicker]

Originally posted by Southern Hick



"This is the first heart attack gene," said Topol. "Everyone who has this gene mutation is destined to have the disease. If you don't have this gene in this family, you appear to free from developing this disease."

Somehow this seems too incredible for several reasons.

1) If the above were true, ischemic heart disease would follow a Mendelian pattern.

2) What about the ton of genes mentioned by ckent? These are all proven to play a role.

3) No true scientist would ever utter those words abot a recent discovery.

 

[docjr]

Originally posted by BellKicker
Somehow this seems too incredible for several reasons.

No true scientist would ever utter those words about a recent discovery.

It's Eric Topol; he just likes to see his name in print.

 

[jalabert]

CKENT said "Hmmm. I don't know why these researchers are calling this gene the "first heart attack gene". There have been tons of genes out there that have been shown to predispose people to heart disease (LDL receptor, ApoE4, etc). "

What's more, the text of the news article states that this research group, or Topol more specifically, discovered the gene. MEF2A was discovered years ago by Eric Olsen, I believe.

"What's even more curious though, is how they published in Science even though their research seemed very clinical. I thought that Science only covered basic science stuff. I've never heard of a clinician reading Science for anything other then as leisure reading."

Science (the journal) is all about impact. "Discovering" the first heart attack gene is certainly high impact. Back when AIDS was all the rage, Science published several clinical studies. Depending on how it is written, the study is likely more molecular in nature than clinical. They probably had invitro or animal stuff to back up the clinical data. I'll have to take a look once it comes in.