PCSK9 Associated Promoter Methylation Status in Patients with Hyperlipidemia

 Background and purpose: Hyperlipidemia is one of the main risk factors for coronary artery disease and is defined as abnormal elevation of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood. Pcsk9 is the ninth member of the proprotein convertase family that binds to the LDLR on the surface of the hepatocyte, leading to degradation of LDLR in lysosomes which could cause hyperlipidemia. The present study aimed to analyze the methylation status of pcsk9 promoter in patients with hyperlipidemia. Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted in 50 patients with hyperlipidemia and 50 healthy controls. DNA isolation from whole blood was performed using salting out procedure. Promoter methylation of the Pcsk9 gene was analyzed by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). Ten MSP products were sequenced to confirm the data obtained. Results: According to MSP results, methylation pattern of pcsk9 gene promoter displayed an unmethylated status among the patients and control individuals. In other words, no methylation was seen in case and control samples. Conclusion: The current study showed no significant association between PCSK9 methylation pattern and blood lipid profile level in case group and control group.