Purpose of review: Quantitative trait locus analysis has been used in both humans and mice for the purpose of finding new genes regulating plasma lipid levels. We review these methods and discuss new approaches that can help find quantitative trait locus genes.
Recent findings: Many quantitative trait loci have been found that regulate plasma levels for HDL cholesterol (37 in mice and 30 in humans), LDL cholesterol (25 in mice and 20 in humans) and triglycerides (19 in mice and 30 in humans). Most of the human quantitative trait loci have concordant mouse quantitative trait loci mapping to homologous regions (93% for HDL cholesterol, 100% for LDL cholesterol and 80% for triglycerides), suggesting that many genes identified in mice may also regulate the same traits in humans. New approaches based on recently developed genomic and bioinformatic technologies and resources should greatly facilitate finding these genes.
Summary: New genes regulating plasma lipid levels can be found in mice and then tested in humans. Some of these genes could be potential therapeutic targets for human atherosclerosis.