Heart attack gene found

The first gene linked directly to heart attacks has been isolated from an extended Amercian family which has been plagued for generations with coronary artery disease.

The gene, called MEF2A, plays a role in protecting the artery walls from building up plaque that can impede blood flow and lead to heart attacks, said Dr Eric J Topol, of the Cleveland Clinic, head of the team which discovered the gene.

"This is the first heart attack gene," said Dr Topol. "Everyone who has this gene mutation is destined to have the disease. If you don't have this gene in this family, you appear to be free from developing this disease."

A report on the discovery was published in the journal Science.

Dr Topol said that his team analysed the genes of about 100 members of an Iowa family where heart disease and heart attack have been common for generation after generation.

They found that members of the family with heart disease had a MEF2A gene that lacked some key bits of DNA. This apparently causes the arteries to thicken and become clogged.

It will take more study to determine if MEF2A plays a role in heart disease among people outside families where the mutation is inherited.

The gene makes a protein that regulates some other genes and Dr Topol said those will now be analysed to see if they can be linked generally to heart disease.

"We have learned from other genetic studies that once you get the first gene it starts to unlock the whole story," said Dr Topol.

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