deCODE discovers genetic risk factor linking susceptibility to four major vascular diseases

Scientists at Iceland-based human genome specialist deCODE genetics and academic colleagues from the Netherlands and 12 other countries across Europe and North America yesterday reported the discovery of a common single-letter variation (SNP) in the sequence of the human genome conferring risk of a range of vascular diseases.

The SNP confers risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), early-onset heart attack, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and pulmonary embolism, independent of other known risk factors. It will be integrated into deCODE's DNA-based tests to improve the assessment of individual risk and the targeting of screening and prevention strategies. The SNP, rs7025486, is located in an intron of the DAB21P gene on chromosome 9q33. The gene encodes an inhibitor of cell growth and survival that is expressed in cardiovascular tissue.

Empowering physicians to identify at-risk patients