Regulating Lipid Levels Via the ZMAX1 or HBM Gene

Abstract

[Field of the Invention]

The present invention relates generally to the field of genetics, genomics and molecular biology. The present disclosure relates to methods and materials used to isolate, detect and sequence a high bone mass gene and corresponding wild-type gene, and mutants thereof that may be involved with modulating lipid levels. The present disclosure also relates to the high bone mass gene, the corresponding wild-type gene, and mutants thereof. The genes identified in the present disclosure are implicated in the ontology and physiology of atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis and associated diseases and conditions related thereto. Also disclosed are nucleic acids, proteins, cloning vectors, expression vectors, transformed hosts, methods of developing pharmaceutical compositions, methods of identifying molecules involved in arteriosclerosis and associated conditions, and methods of treating or preventing diseases associated with abnormal lipid levels. The present disclosure is directed to methods for treating, diagnosing, preventing and screening for normal and abnormal lipid-associated conditions, including arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and stroke.