APOL1
Apolipoprotein L1
What it does
Variants are strongly associated with kidney disease risk.
Why this matters for Black patients
APOL1 G1 and G2 risk alleles are concentrated in African ancestry (~13 percent carry two risk alleles). Carriers face high rates of FSGS, hypertensive nephropathy, and HIV-associated nephropathy. Some donor-organ matching now incorporates APOL1 status.
Common variants
| Variant | Phenotype | African | European |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | Risk allele | 0.200 | 0.000 |
| G2 | Risk allele | 0.130 | 0.000 |
Note: This page is reference information, not medical advice. Pharmacogenomic differences are about ancestry, not race; race is an imperfect proxy. Discuss any medication changes with your prescriber.