Genetics of lipoprotein disorders

Many genes intervene in the homeostasis of plasma lipoprotein concentrations, which are also sensitive to environmental changes. Although many inherited disorders of lipoprotein metabolism are recognized, the genetic defect is known for only a few. For practical reasons, and until the genetic etiology is fully elucidated, it is best to classify these defects as a function of their major lipoprotein phenotype. Because of the life-threatening potential of some of these disorders, emphasis is placed on the atherogenic forms of dyslipoproteinemias.