Baboons possess Lp[a] that is similar to human Lp[a], including the presence of the unique protein, apo[a].Baboon apo[a] occurred in at least nine isoforms distinguishable by size.Isoforms were resolved by 3-12% polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoretic separation of serum proteins, and were detected with baboon apo[a]-specific antibodies.
Thirty one sex shop arles different apo[a] isoform phenotypes were detected in a population of 165 unrelated baboons.Identical isoform phenotypes were observed in different samples from individual baboons, and isoform phenotypes were unaffected by changes in diet.In one experiment, 16 baboons were fed a series of five diets differing in amounts of cholesterol and saturated or unsaturated fats.
There was no significant effect of diet on serum Lp[a] levels.In another group of baboons (n = 70) controlled for age and dietary history, enrichment of the diet with cholesterol and saturated fat caused a small, but significant (P less than 0.005), increase (means = 0.
6 mg/dl) in serum Lp[a] concentration.Analysis of two large sire families suggested that apo[a] isoform patterns and serum Lp[a] concentrations were inherited.Putative parental alleles responsible for specific isoform bands appeared 5326058hx to segregate randomly.
Heritability (h2) of serum Lp[a] concentration was estimated to be 0.95 +/- 0.04.
We conclude that apo[a] isoform phenotypes and serum Lp[a] concentrations are inherited, and that Lp[a] concentrations are only slightly influenced by diet.