Recent genome-wide association studies have revealed that variations near the gene locus encoding the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 14 (KLF14) are strongly associated with HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, metabolic syndrome, and coronary heart disease.
Of particular interest are the genes being related to MetS (binary) in this study, but not to any of the MetS components in past studies, such as <i>WDR48, KLF14, NAADL1, GADD45G,</i> and <i>OR5R1,</i> as well as the two loci that have been associated with all five MetS components in past studies, <i>SNX10</i> and <i>C5orf67.</i> A pathway analysis of the 93 independent loci showed the immune system, transportation of small molecules, and metabolism to be enriched.