Sex-specific association of rs16996148 SNP

Sex-specific associations of rs16996148 SNP in the NCAN/CILP2/PBX4 and serum lipid levels have been found in the Mulao and Han populations of China, according to Lipids in Health and Disease 2011.

The genotypic and allelic frequencies of rs16996148 SNP and the associations of the SNP and serum lipid levels have also been found to differ in the Mulao and Han populations. The results mark significant research developments in the area, as little was known about the association of rs16996148 SNP and serum lipid levels in the Chinese population previously.

Furthermore, the association of rs16996148 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in NCAN/CILP2/PBX4 and serum lipid levels is inconsistent.

The scientists set out to detect the association of rs16996148 SNP and several environmental factors with serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Mulao and Han populations.

A total of 712 subjects of Mulao nationality and 736 participants of Han nationality were randomly selected from the stratified randomized cluster samples. Genotyping of the rs16996148 SNP was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis, and then confirmed by direct sequencing.

The results showed that the levels of apolipoprotein (Apo) B were higher in Mulao than in Han (P <0.001). In addition, there were no significant differences in the genotypic and allelic frequencies between males and females in both ethnic groups.