Researchers find the first heart attack gene

Thursday, November 27th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The first gene linked directly to heart attacks has been isolated from an extended Iowa family that has been plagued for generations with rampant 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 a team that discovered the gene.

``This is the first heart attack gene,'' said 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 free from developing this disease.''

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

Topol said that his team analyzed 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 of families where the mutation is inherited. The gene makes a protein that regulates some other genes and Topol said those will now be analyzed 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 Topol.