Allelic polymorphisms in the transcriptional regulatory region of apolipoprotein E gene

AbstractIn this work, we explored the existence of genetic variants within the apolipoprotein E gene transcriptional regulatory region, using a denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis screening of a region comprising nucleotides −1017 to +406. Upon a population study, three new polymorphic sites (−491, −427 and −219) and two mutations were found. Functional effects of the polymorphisms, assayed by transient transfection and electrophoretic mobility shift assays in a human hepatoma cell line, showed that polymorphisms at sites −491 and −219 of the APOE promoter produce variations in the transcriptional activity of the gene, most probably through differential binding of nuclear proteins