What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Cholesterol and Heart Risk: 6/10 evidence, 49 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Typical HDL Cholesterol and Heart Risk
Standard CETP activity maintains typical levels of good HDL cholesterol. There is no genetically lowered risk of heart disease or altered statin response from this variant.
What this genotype means: Typical HDL cholesterol levels; Standard baseline risk of coronary artery disease; Typical response to most statin therapies.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Higher HDL and Lower Heart Risk
Carrying two copies of the A allele is linked to significantly higher good HDL cholesterol levels. This profile is associated with a notable reduction in coronary artery disease risk.
What this genotype means: Significantly higher good HDL cholesterol levels; Reduced risk of coronary artery disease and heart attacks; Altered efficacy when using certain statin drugs.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/A
Slightly Higher HDL and Lower Heart Risk
Carrying one copy of the A allele is linked to slightly higher good HDL cholesterol levels. This profile is associated with a minor reduction in coronary artery disease risk.
What this genotype means: Slightly elevated good HDL cholesterol levels; Slightly reduced risk of coronary artery disease; Altered response to specific statin medications.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The CETP gene encodes cholesteryl ester transfer protein, which plays a central role in lipid metabolism. This protein facilitates the transfer of cholesteryl esters from high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to other lipoproteins, which typically lowers HDL-C levels. Lowering CETP activity is a major therapeutic target because it helps maintain higher levels of good HDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. Variations in this gene are widely studied for their impact on cardiovascular health and lipid profiles.
Variant Impact: This intronic variant, also known as the TaqIB polymorphism, alters the expression and activity of the CETP protein. The G allele is associated with higher CETP mass and activity, leading to lower HDL cholesterol levels. Conversely, the A allele reduces CETP activity, which helps preserve circulating HDL cholesterol. This change has downstream effects on cardiovascular disease risk and how the body responds to cholesterol-lowering statin medications.
Key Insight: The A allele acts as a natural CETP inhibitor, raising good HDL cholesterol levels and lowering heart disease risk. However, this same genetic change can alter how effectively certain statin medications lower overall cardiovascular risk.
Location: CETP. Chromosome 16 · 16q13 · 57.0 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 38.4%; European 32.0%; African 54.1%; East Asian 39.0%; South Asian 29.0%; Americas 33.7%; Ashkenazi 38.0%; Finnish 30.0%; Middle Eastern 37.9%; Amish 22.5%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Global 46.2%; European 49.1%; African 38.9%; East Asian 46.9%; South Asian 49.7%; Americas 48.7%; Ashkenazi 47.3%; Finnish 49.5%; Middle Eastern 47.3%; Amish 49.9%.
Estimated GA genotype frequency.
Global 15.4%; European 18.9%; African 7.0%; East Asian 14.1%; South Asian 21.3%; Americas 17.6%; Ashkenazi 14.7%; Finnish 20.5%; Middle Eastern 14.8%; Amish 27.6%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Lipids & Cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 18560005. Typical Levels.
Heart Disease
Heart Disease. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 20031564. Typical Risk.
Metabolic Syndrome & Insulin Resistance
Metabolic Syndrome. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 38201907. Typical Risk.
Pharmacogenomics
Lipid-Lowering Drug Response
Statin Response. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 14660992. Typical Response.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 18560005. Higher Levels.
Heart Disease. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 20031564. Lower Risk.
Metabolic Syndrome. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 38201907. Higher Risk.
Statin Response. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 14660992. Variable Response.
Showing effects for G/A genotype
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 18560005. Slightly Higher.
Heart Disease. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 20031564. Slightly Lower Risk.
Metabolic Syndrome. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 38201907. Slightly Higher Risk.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the G allele represents the most common genetic profile globally. This genotype is associated with standard levels of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity. As a result, circulating levels of good HDL cholesterol remain at a typical baseline. Unlike carriers of the A allele, there is no genetically driven reduction in coronary artery disease risk associated with this profile. When taking statin medications, some studies suggest a standard or slightly better response to atorvastatin compared to other genotypes. Moderate alcohol consumption does not appear to provide the same level of cardiovascular risk reduction seen in A allele carriers.
Typical HDL cholesterol levels; Standard baseline risk of coronary artery disease; Typical response to most statin therapies.
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the A allele, historically referred to as the B2B2 genotype, results in the lowest levels of CETP activity. This reduction in CETP activity leads to an increase in good HDL cholesterol levels of up to 10%. Large-scale cohort studies have demonstrated that this lipid profile correlates with a significantly lower risk of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. However, some pharmacogenomic studies suggest a potentially poorer response to certain statins like rosuvastatin. Interestingly, the protective cardiovascular effect of this genotype appears to be enhanced by moderate alcohol consumption.
Significantly higher good HDL cholesterol levels; Reduced risk of coronary artery disease and heart attacks; Altered efficacy when using certain statin drugs.
Sample genotype: GA (Heterozygous)
Inheriting one copy of the A allele leads to a moderate reduction in CETP protein mass and activity. This reduction allows good HDL cholesterol levels to rise by approximately 3% to 4%. Consequently, clinical studies have observed a slightly lower risk of future myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease. The presence of this allele may also influence how the body processes statin medications, showing a decreased risk of cardiovascular events on HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Additionally, moderate alcohol intake has been shown to interact with this genotype to further lower heart disease risk.
Slightly elevated good HDL cholesterol levels; Slightly reduced risk of coronary artery disease; Altered response to specific statin medications.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs12720922 · CETP Gene · Chr 16 · Cholesterol and Heart Health
rs1532624 · CETP Gene · Chr 16 · Lipid Levels and Statins
rs17231506 · CETP Gene · Chr 16 · Cardiovascular Health
Content updated August 2026.
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