BMP1 5'UTR + 104 T/C gene variation: can be a predictive marker for serum HDL and apoprotein A1 levels in male patients with coronary heart disease.

Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1), the major protein of HDL, is secreted as a proprotein and then is cleaved by C-terminal procollagen endoproteinase/bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP1). BMP1 stimulates the conversion of newly secreted proapo A1 to its phospholipid-binding form. Therefore, genetic variations of BMP1 gene may affect serum ApoA1 and HDL levels. We aimed to investigate the effects of the functional 5'UTR + 104 (T/C) variant of BMP1 on serum ApoA1 and HDL levels and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in this study. The BMP1 5'UTR + 104 (T/C) (rs143383) variation was determined in 131 male patients with CHD and 51 male controls by real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. ApoA1 levels were measured by immunoturbidimetry. The serum Apo-A1 levels were found higher in controls with the BMP1-CC genotype than those with the T-allele (p < 0.001). Our findings show the association of this variation with serum ApoA1 and HDL-C levels which increase in the order of CT < TT < CC in the controls. No effect was found on ApoA1 and HDL-C levels in CHD patients, as it was observed in the controls. However, the BMP1-TT genotype was associated with higher triglyceride (TG) levels as compared to C-allele (p = 0.009). These discrepancies could be due to statin therapy which has dominant effects on lowering cholesterol levels comparing to TG levels. Our results indicated that the BMP1 5'UTR + 104 (T/C) variation may affect the serum ApoA1 and lipoprotein levels depending on statin therapy so that contributes to the development of CHD.