abstract |
The present invention is based at least in part on the discovery of polymorphisms within the thrombospondin 2 (THBS2) gene, the angiotensin converting enzyme 1 (ACE), and the beta fibrinogen (FGB) gene. Accordingly, the invention provides nucleic acid molecules having a nucleotide sequence of an allelic variant of a THBS2, ACE, or FGB gene. The invention also provides methods for identifying specific alleles of polymorphic regions of a THBS2, ACE, or FGB gene, methods for determining whether a subject is or is not at risk of developing a disease which is associated with a specific allele of a polymorphic region of a THBS2, ACE, or FGB gene, e.g., a vascular disease, based on detection of polymorphisms within the THBS2, ACE, or FGB gene, and kits for performing such methods. The invention further provides methods for classifying a subject who is or is not at risk for developing, a vascular disease or disorder as a candidate for a particular clinical course of therapy or a particular diagnostic evaluation. |