Quantitative trait locus mapping and identification of Zhx2 as a novel regulator of plasma lipid metabolism.

BACKGROUND We previously mapped a quantitative trait locus on chromosome 15 in mice contributing to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels and now report the identification of the underlying gene. METHODS AND RESULTS We first fine-mapped the locus by studying a series of congenic strains derived from the parental strains BALB/cJ and MRL/MpJ. Analysis of gene expression and sequencing followed by transgenic complementation led to the identification of zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2 (Zhx2), a transcription factor previously implicated in the developmental regulation of alpha-fetoprotein. Reduced expression of the protein in BALB/cJ mice resulted in altered hepatic transcript levels for several genes involved in lipoprotein metabolism. Most notably, the Zhx2 mutation resulted in a failure to suppress expression of lipoprotein lipase, a gene normally silenced in the adult liver, and this was normalized in BALB/cJ mice carrying the Zhx2 transgene. CONCLUSIONS We identified the gene underlying the chromosome 15 quantitative trait locus, and our results show that Zhx2 functions as a novel developmental regulator of key genes influencing lipoprotein metabolism.