THE APOLIPOPROTEIN(A) GENE - CHARACTERIZATION OF 5' FLANKING REGIONS AND EXPRESSION IN TRANSGENIC MICE

The human genome contains at least six homologues of the apolipoprotei n(a) and plasminogen genes, which contain over 90% identity in the reg ion corresponding to 5' flanking sequences and exon one. This region o f the apolipoprotein(a) gene contains transcription control elements, and sequence differences in this region account for some of the variat ion in plasma Lp(a) concentration. Transgenic mice expressing human ap olipoprotein(a) develop aortic lesions resembling the early stages of human atherosclerosis after 3.5 months on a high fat diet. The transge nic mouse model should prove a useful system for studying the role of apolipoprotein(a) in disease.