Genotyping OLR1 gene: a genomic biomarker for cardiovascular diseases.

The human lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), encoded by the OLR1 gene, is a scavenger receptor that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. LOX-1 activation is an important mechanism that contributes to plaque instability and subsequent development of acute coronary syndromes. Association studies have implicated OLR1 gene variants in myocardial infarction (MI) susceptibility. In particular, previously we demonstrated that intronic SNPs associated to susceptibility to myocardial infarction, regulate the expression of a new functional splicing isoform of the OLR1 gene, called LOXIN. The ratio OLR1/LOXIN mRNA is increased in subjects carrying the risk haplotype. On this basis, we developed a genetic kit named "LOXIN test" that allows the rapid identification of ORL1 genotypes and therefore establish the susceptibility risk to atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. The recent patents related to OLR1, SNPs and LOXIN are also discussed in this article.