A single-nucleotide polymorphism in the sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 1c gene is predictive of HIV-related hyperlipoproteinaemia.

A single-nucleotide polymorphism (3'322C/G) was identified in the gene encoding a key cholesterol/triglyceride regulator, sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c). Although it did not alter the amino acid sequence, SREBP-1c-3'322C/G was predictive of highly active antiretroviral therapy-related hyperlipoproteinaemia. Increases in cholesterol were less frequently associated with homozygous SREBP-1c-3'322G (genotype 22) than with heterozygous/homozygous SREBP-1c-3'322C (genotypes 11/12) and correlated with leptin and insulin increases, particularly in genotype 11/12 carriers. A functional mutation linked to SREBP-1c-3'322C/G or messenger RNA conformation differences may explain our findings.