What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Triglyceride Levels: 10/10 evidence, 16 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Significantly Higher Triglycerides and Cardiovascular Risk
Inheriting two copies of the minor G allele is associated with elevated blood triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol. This combination can increase the risk of developing coronary artery disease and metabolic syndrome.
What this genotype means: Elevated blood triglycerides; Lower HDL cholesterol; Increased risk of coronary artery disease.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Typical Triglycerides and Standard Cardiovascular Risk
Carrying two copies of the major A allele is associated with normal triglyceride clearance and typical HDL cholesterol levels. This genotype represents the baseline genetic risk for heart health.
What this genotype means: Typical blood triglyceride levels; Standard HDL and LDL cholesterol levels; Baseline risk of coronary artery disease.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/A
Moderately Higher Triglycerides and Cardiovascular Risk
Carrying one copy of the minor G allele is linked to moderately elevated triglycerides and slightly lower HDL cholesterol. This profile can modestly increase the lifetime risk of cardiovascular issues.
What this genotype means: Moderately elevated triglycerides; Slightly lower HDL cholesterol; Modestly increased risk of coronary artery disease.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The ZPR1 gene encodes a zinc finger protein that is essential for cell growth and interacts with translation machinery. It lies in close physical proximity to the APOA5 gene on chromosome 11, forming a highly active lipid-regulating gene cluster [1]. APOA5 encodes apolipoprotein A-V, a specialized protein produced in the liver that plays a critical role in clearing triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the bloodstream [2]. This protein works by accelerating the breakdown of circulating fats through the activation of lipoprotein lipase [3]. Because of this close genetic linkage, variations in this region are among the strongest known genetic determinants of blood lipid levels in humans [4].
Variant Impact: Located in the 3 prime untranslated region of the APOA5 gene, this variant alters a regulatory sequence that controls how much apolipoprotein A-V is produced [2]. The change affects binding sites for microRNAs, which are small molecules that regulate gene expression by targeting messenger RNA [4]. Specifically, the minor G allele is associated with reduced expression of the protective apolipoprotein A-V protein [4]. This reduction in protein levels impairs the body's ability to efficiently clear fats from the bloodstream, leading to higher circulating triglycerides [3].
Key Insight: This variant sits in a regulatory region where it alters microRNA binding, directly influencing how efficiently the liver clears fat from the bloodstream.
Location: APOA5. Chromosome 11 · 11q23.3 · 116.8 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 0.8%; European 0.5%; African < 0.1%; East Asian 5.3%; South Asian 4.4%; Americas 1.3%; Ashkenazi 0.8%; Finnish 0.7%; Middle Eastern 1.1%; Amish 1.1%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Global 12.8%; European 13.2%; African 3.1%; East Asian 35.5%; South Asian 33.1%; Americas 20.0%; Ashkenazi 16.4%; Finnish 15.2%; Middle Eastern 18.9%; Amish 18.5%.
Estimated GA genotype frequency.
Global 86.4%; European 86.3%; African 96.8%; East Asian 59.1%; South Asian 62.5%; Americas 78.8%; Ashkenazi 82.8%; Finnish 84.1%; Middle Eastern 80.0%; Amish 80.4%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Lipids & Cholesterol
Triglycerides. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 24387992. Increased.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 21386085. Lowered.
LDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Increased.
Heart Disease
Heart Disease. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 35915156. Increased Risk.
Hypertension
Blood Pressure. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 21386085. Increased.
Nutrition & Metabolism
Vitamin & Mineral Metabolism
Vitamin D Levels. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 33462484. Lowered.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
Triglycerides. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 24387992. Typical.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 21386085. Typical.
LDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Typical.
Heart Disease. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 35915156. Typical Risk.
Blood Pressure. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 21386085. Typical.
Vitamin D Levels. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 33462484. Typical.
Showing effects for G/A genotype
Triglycerides. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 24387992. Moderately Increased.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 21386085. Moderately Lowered.
LDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Moderately Increased.
Heart Disease. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 35915156. Moderately Increased.
Blood Pressure. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 21386085. Moderately Increased.
Vitamin D Levels. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 33462484. Moderately Lowered.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
Having two copies of the G allele is strongly linked to elevated blood triglyceride levels [1]. This genetic profile is associated with a reduction in circulating apolipoprotein A-V, which slows down the clearance of fat particles after meals [2]. Consequently, individuals with this genotype often show higher levels of LDL cholesterol and lower levels of protective HDL cholesterol [3]. These lipid imbalances contribute to an increased risk of coronary artery disease [4]. Additionally, this genotype is associated with slightly higher blood pressure and lower vitamin D levels [5]. Managing cardiovascular health through regular lipid panels and lifestyle adjustments is particularly relevant for this group.
Elevated blood triglycerides; Lower HDL cholesterol; Increased risk of coronary artery disease.
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
Possessing two copies of the common A allele is associated with typical, healthy levels of blood triglycerides [1]. This genotype ensures standard production of apolipoprotein A-V, allowing the body to efficiently clear fat particles from the bloodstream [2]. As a result, individuals with this profile generally maintain typical levels of protective HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol [3]. This balanced lipid profile is linked to a standard, baseline risk of coronary artery disease [4]. Furthermore, this genotype is associated with typical blood pressure and standard vitamin D levels [5]. Maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise supports this favorable genetic baseline.
Typical blood triglyceride levels; Standard HDL and LDL cholesterol levels; Baseline risk of coronary artery disease.
Sample genotype: GA (Heterozygous)
Inheriting one copy of the G allele is associated with a moderate increase in blood triglyceride levels compared to the common genotype [1]. This change occurs because a single copy of the G allele reduces the overall production of apolipoprotein A-V in the liver [2]. The resulting slower clearance of dietary fats can lead to slightly higher total and LDL cholesterol levels [3]. Over time, these elevated lipid levels are associated with a modest increase in the risk of coronary artery disease [4]. This genotype is also linked to slightly lower levels of protective HDL cholesterol and vitamin D [5].
Moderately elevated triglycerides; Slightly lower HDL cholesterol; Modestly increased risk of coronary artery disease.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs3135506 · APOA5 Gene · Chr 11 · Triglyceride and Lipid Levels
rs651821 · APOA5 Gene · Chr 11 · Triglyceride Levels
rs662799 · APOA5 Gene · Chr 11 · Triglyceride Levels
Two independent apolipoprotein A5 haplotypes influence human plasma triglyceride levels.
An apolipoprotein influencing triglycerides in humans and mice revealed by comparative sequencing.
A large electronic-health-record-based genome-wide study of serum lipids.
Genetics of 35 blood and urine biomarkers in the UK Biobank.
Content updated August 2026.
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