May 16 2010
Age-related macular degeneration linked to new gene
In an analysis of the genes of more than 1,000 patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an international team of scientists discovered a strong association between the vision problem and the presence of a new gene.
The new gene connection is with hepatic lipase gene LIPC, a critical enzyme in the metabolism of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The study also noted strong associations between advanced AMD and other single nucleotide polymorphisms in the same lipid pathway, but the other finding showed a much stronger, genome-wide significance.
Abstract Title: Genome-Wide Association Study of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration Identifies a New Susceptibility Locus in the Lipid Metabolism Pathway, Hepatic Lipase (LIPC)
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