Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Does the geographical gradient of ApoE4 allele exist in China? A systemic comparison among multiple Chinese populations

  • Published:
Molecular Biology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The allelic frequencies of apolipoprotein E (apoE) vary substantially around the world. There is a conspicuous south-to-north gradient of e4 frequencies in Europe, with the proportion of e4 carriers from only 10–15% in the south to 40–50% in the north. The mechanism may be related to the possibility that e4 carriers are less likely to develop vitamin D deficiency. In addition, Asian populations traditionally have lower e4 frequency than Europeans, which may be attributed in part to the scarce or irregular food supplies in Western world in the recent past. However, whether these geographical distribution gradients exist in China is yet unknown. ApoE genotypes of 200 children from Nanning City were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Allele frequency data of 18 other populations were collected from published sources and correlated with latitude and longitude information from different geographic resources. In our subjects, the frequencies of apoE genotypes were E3/E3: 73.0%, E3/E2: 15.0%, E4/E3: 5.0%, E4/E4: 5.0%, and E4/E2: 2.0%; the frequencies of apoE alleles were e2: 8.5%, e3: 83.0%, and e4: 8.5%, respectively. The total sample consisted of 3,679 individuals from 19 Chinese populations; the allelic frequencies were e2: 7.6%, e3: 85.5%, and e4: 6.9%, respectively; the proportion of e4 carriers was from 4.9% in Kunming to 17.5% in Harbin. Systemic comparison among multiple Chinese populations revealed that positive correlation existed between the e4 allele frequency distribution and latitude north (r = 0.586, P = 0.008), but no correlation of the e4 allele frequency distribution with longitude east was found (r = −0.018, P = 0.942). We conclude that there is a south-to-north, but not an east-to-west gradient for the apoE4 allele in China.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Shore VG, Shore B (1973) Heterogeneity of human plasma very low density lipoproteins. Separation of species differing in protein components. Biochemistry 12:502–507

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Hu P, Qin YH, Jing CX, Lei FY, Chen P, Li MF (2009) Association of polymorphisms at restriction enzyme recognition sites of apolipoprotein B and E gene with dyslipidemia in children undergoing primary nephrotic syndrome. Mol Biol Rep 36:1015–1021

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Mahley RW (1988) Apolipoprotein E: cholesterol transport protein with expanding role in cell biology. Science 240:622–630

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Utermann G, Steinmetz A, Weber W (1982) Genetic control of human apolipoprotein E polymorphism: comparison of one- and two-dimensional techniques of isoprotein analysis. Hum Genet 60:344–351

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Contois JH, Anamani DE, Tsongalis GJ (1996) The underlying molecular mechanism of apolipoprotein E polymorphism: relationships to lipid disorders, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Clin Lab Med 16:105–123

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Ahmed MU, Akhteruzzaman S (2006) Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene polymorphism in the Bangladeshi population and its comparison with other Asian populations. J Med Sci 6:203–208

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Mahfouz RA, Sabbagh AS, Zahed LF, Mahfoud ZR, Kalmoni RF, Otrock ZK, Taher AT, Zaatari GS (2006) Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and allele frequencies in the Lebanese population. Mol Biol Rep 33:145–149

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ewbank DC (2004) The APOE gene and differences in life expectancy in Europe. J Gerontol A 59:16–20

    Google Scholar 

  9. Gerdes LU (2003) The common polymorphism of apolipoprotein E: geographical aspects and new pathophysiological relations. Clin Chem Lab Med 41:628–631

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Cashman KD, Seamans K (2007) Bone health, genetics, and personalised nutrition. Genes Nutr 2:47–51

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Singh PP, Singh M, Mastana SS (2006) APOE distribution in world populations with new data from India and the UK. Ann Hum Biol 33:279–308

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Gottlieb MG, Schwanke CH, Santos AF, Jobim PF, Müssel DP, da Cruz IB (2005) Association among oxidized LDL levels, MnSOD, apolipoprotein E polymorphisms, and cardiovascular risk factors in a south Brazilian region population. Genet Mol Res 4:691–703

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Yuan HP, Xiao Z, Yang BB (2007) A study on the association of apolipoprotein E genotypes with primary open-angle glaucoma and primary angle-closure glaucoma in northeast of China. Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi 43:416–420

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Wang X, Wang G, Yang C, Li X (2001) Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and its association with human longevity in the Uygur nationality in Xinjiang. Chin Med J (Engl) 114:817–820

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Yan L, Zhou B, Nigdikar S, Wang X, Bennett J, Prentice A (2005) Effect of apolipoprotein E genotype on vitamin K status in healthy older adults from China and the UK. Br J Nutr 94:956–961

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Yue Y, Hu L, Tian QJ, Jiang JM, Dong YL, Jin ZY, Cheng YH, Hong X, Ge QS, Zuo PP (2007) Effects of long-term, low-dose sex hormone replacement therapy on hippocampus and cognition of postmenopausal women of different apoE genotypes. Acta Pharmacol Sin 28:1129–1135

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Li X, Du Y, Du Y, Huang X (2003) Association of apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism with essential hypertension and its complications. Clin Exp Med 2:175–179

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Chen Y, Zhang SL, Yuan Y, Liu J, Zhang Y (2006) Genetic relations of the LDL receptor-related protein gene and apolipoprotein E gene to Alzheimer disease. J Shanxi Med Univ 37:565–568

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Han F, Ren JM, Liu XL, Zheng ST, Yang LN (2008) Relationship between apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus with arteriosclerotic cerebral infarction. J Shandong Univ (Health Sciences) 46:1–4

    Google Scholar 

  20. Cui JB, Wang SJ, Wang JP, Guo HC, Song MQ, Zhao WX, Yan WH (2000) The relationship between the Apolipoprotein E genotypes and the levels of plasma lipids in Henan Han population. J Henan Med Univ 35:519–522

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Yang Z, Zhu T, Ma G, Yin H, Qian W, Zhang F, Cao K, Ma W (2001) Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in the early onset of coronary heart disease. Chin Med J (Engl) 114:983–985

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Liang S, Pan M, Geng HH, Chen H, Gu LQ, Qin XT, Qian JJ, Zhu JH, Liu CF (2009) Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in normal Han Chinese population: frequency and effect on lipid parameters. Mol Biol Rep 36:1251–1256

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Shen X, Xia Y, Sass C, Visvikis S, Siest G (1998) Association of apolipoprotein E polymorphism and concentration with serum lipids and apolipoprotein level in the Chinese from Shanghai. Clin Chem Lab Med 36:615–619

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Jin ZQ, Fan YS, Ding J, Chen M, Fan W, Zhang GJ, Zhang BH, Yu SJ, Zhang YS, Ji WF, Zhang JG (2004) Association of apolipoprotein E 4 polymorphism with cerebral infarction in Chinese Han population. Acta Pharmacol Sin 25:352–356

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Xiang W, Zhao S, Peng D (1999) Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and plasma lipid, lipoprotein, apolipoprotein levels in 291 children of Changsha. Hunan Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao 24:232–236

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Kao JT, Tsai KS, Chang CJ, Huang PC (1995) The effects of apolipoprotein E polymorphism on the distribution of lipids and lipoproteins in the Chinese population. Atherosclerosis 114:55–59

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Tang H, Yan X, Hua Y, Wei M, Zhang L, Gao J, Dong H (2005) Distribution of apoE polymorphism in Chinese Yunnan Dehong Dai ethnic group. Zhonghua Yi Xue Yi Chuan Xue Za Zhi 22:224–226

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Lai S, Chen Y, Wen Z (2001) Association between apolipoprotein E polymorphism and Alzheimer’s disease: a population-based study in Guangzhou, China. Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 22:202–204

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Lam CY, Fan BJ, Wang DY, Tam PO, Yung Tham CC, Leung DY, Ping Fan DS, Chiu Lam DS, Pang CP (2006) Association of apolipoprotein E polymorphisms with normal tension glaucoma in a Chinese population. J Glaucoma 15:218–222

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Xiang W, Ma YL, Fu SM, Yang JF, Chen Z, Guo DX, Zhao DC, Nie S, Wang FL (2004) Apolipoprotein E gene expression in peripheral blood monocyte in healthy children. Chin J Nat Med 16:212–215

    Google Scholar 

  31. Gerdes LU, Gerdes C, Hansen PS, Klausen IC, Faergeman O, Dyerberg J (1996) The apolipoprotein E polymorphism in Greenland Inuit in its global perspective. Hum Genet 98:546–550

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Benkmann HG, Agarwal DP, Vasisht S, Srivastava LM, Goedde HW (1996) Distribution of apolipoprotein E genotypes in Asian Indians, Hungarians, and Papua New Guineans. Anthropol Anz 54:31–34

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Corbo RM, Scacchi R (1999) Apolipoprotein E (APOE) allele distribution in the world. Is APOE*4 a ‘thrifty’ allele? Ann Hum Genet 63:301–310

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Bazrgar M, Karimi M, Fathzadeh M, Senemar S, Peiravian F, Shojaee A, Saadat M (2008) Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in Southern Iran: E4 allele in the lowest reported amounts. Mol Biol Rep 35:495–499

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Kamboh MI, Serjeantson SW, Ferrell RE (1991) Genetic studies of human apolipoproteins. XVIII. Apolipoprotein polymorphisms in Australian Aborigines. Hum Biol 63:179–186

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Ebbesson SO, Schraer C, Nobmann ED, Ebbesson LO (1996) Lipoprotein profiles in Alaskan Siberian Yupik Eskimos. Arctic Med Res 55:165–173

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Wong SY, Lau EM, Li M, Chung T, Sham A, Woo J (2005) The prevalence of Apo E4 genotype and its relationship to bone mineral density in Hong Kong Chinese. J Bone Miner Metab 23:261–265

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Chanprasertyothin S, Ongphiphadhanakul B, Rajatanavin R, Piaseu N, Chailurkit LO, Puavilai G (2000) Correlation of apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism to serum lipid concentrations in healthy Thais. J Med Assoc Thai 83:1233–1239

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Tietze W, Domrös M (1987) The climate of China. GeoJournal 14:265–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Yin R, Pan S, Wu J, Lin W, Yang D (2008) Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 233:409–418

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Hu P, Qin YH, Jing CX, Lu L, Hu B, Du PF (2009) Effect of apolipoprotein B polymorphism on body mass index, serum protein and lipid profiles in children of Guangxi, China. Ann Hum Biol 36:411–420

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Singh PP, Singh M, Mastana SS (2002) Genetic variation of apolipoproteins in North Indians. Hum Biol 74:673–682

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Al-Bustan SA, Alnaqeeb MA, Annice BG, Ibrhim G, Al-Rubaian J, Ahmed AH, Refai TM (2005) Apolipoprotein E genotyping among the healthy Kuwaiti population. Hum Biol 77:487–498

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Tan CE, Tai ES, Tan CS, Chia KS, Lee J, Chew SK, Ordovas JM (2003) APOE polymorphism and lipid profile in three ethnic groups in the Singapore population. Atherosclerosis 170:253–260

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Kang SY, Lee WI (2006) Apolipoprotein e polymorphism in ischemic stroke patients with different pathogenetic origins. Korean J Lab Med 26:210–216

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Gajra B, Candlish JK, Saha N, Heng CK, Soemantri AG, Tay JS (1994) Influence of polymorphisms for apolipoprotein B (ins/del, XbaI, EcoRI) and apolipoprotein E on serum lipids and apolipoproteins in a Javanese population. Genet Epidemiol 11:19–27

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Vaisi-Raygani A, Rahimi Z, Tavilani H, Pourmotabbed T (2010) Butyrylcholinesterase K variant and the APOE-epsilon4 allele work in synergy to increase the risk of coronary artery disease especially in diabetic patients. Mol Biol Rep 37:2083–2091

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Schwanke CH, da Cruz IB, Leal NF, Scheibe R, Moriguchi Y, Moriguchi EH (2002) Analysis of the association between apolipoprotein E polymorphism and cardiovascular risk factors in an elderly population with longevity. Arq Bras Cardiol 78:561–579

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Post-Doctoral Foundation of Anhui Medical University. We greatly appreciate Dr. Qiang Xuan for his helpful comments, Department of Urology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Ji-Xi Road, Hefei, 230022, People’s Republic of China

    Peng Hu, Ling Lu, Bo Hu & Peng Fei Du

  2. Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuang-Yong Road, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China

    Yuan Han Qin & Cheng Xue Jing

Authors
  1. Peng Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuan Han Qin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Cheng Xue Jing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ling Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Bo Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Peng Fei Du
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peng Hu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hu, P., Qin, Y.H., Jing, C.X. et al. Does the geographical gradient of ApoE4 allele exist in China? A systemic comparison among multiple Chinese populations. Mol Biol Rep 38, 489–494 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0132-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0132-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation