Genetics
LPA may be an unprocessed pseudogene duplicated from the plasminogen gene, a hypothesis for apo(a) functionless structure and Lp(a) pathology (Cureus 2018)
Original title: Apolipoprotein(a) is the Product of a Pseudogene: Implications for the Pathophysiology of Lipoprotein(a)
This review by Sloop, Pop, Weidman and St Cyr proposes that LPA, the gene encoding apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)], is an unrecognised unprocessed pseudogene created by duplication of PLG, the gene encoding plasminogen, having subsequently lost function through mutation. The authors argue this hypothesis explains many unusual features of Lp(a) and apo(a), and has implications for the therapy of elevated Lp(a) and atherothrombosis theory. Because apo(a) is proposed to be functionless, the authors suggest the diseases associated with elevated Lp(a) arise from its impact on blood viscosity rather than any specific apo(a) function.
Original abstract
Apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] is an apolipoprotein unique to lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Although it has no known function, Lp(a) is a risk factor for accelerated atherothrombosis. We hypothesize that LPA, the gene which encodes apo(a), is a heretofore unrecognized unprocessed pseudogene created by duplication of PLG, the gene which encodes plasminogen. Unprocessed pseudogenes are genes which were created by duplication of functional genes and subsequently lost function after acquiring various mutations. This hypothesis explains many of the unusual features of Lp(a) and apo(a). Also, this hypothesis has implications for the therapy of elevated Lp(a) and atherothrombosis theory. Because apo(a) is functionless, the diseases associated with elevated levels of Lp(a) are due to its impact on blood viscosity.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.