Polymorphisms in ABCG5/G8 transporters linked to hypercholesterolemia and gallstone disease

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters function in the homeostasis of lipids. Dysfunction of ABC transporters is frequently associated with disease. This review examines links between polymorphisms of ABC G5 (ABCG5) and G8 (ABCG8) transporter genes to hypercholesterolemia and to gallstone disease risk. Various polymorphisms (A632V, T400K, D19H, M429V, and C54Y) in the ABCG8 and ABCG5 (Q604E) gene have been found to be associated with several facets of cholesterol metabolism, including baseline cholesterol level, cholesterol kinetics, individual responsiveness of plasma cholesterol to dietary and pharmaceutical interventions for hypercholesterolemia, and increased risk of gallstones. Clearly, the ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes play an important role in cholesterol homeostasis. However, more research is needed to establish how specific polymorphisms of these genes confer to higher risk of these diseases.