Polymorphism at the apolipoprotein E gene (ApoE) in populations of the Volga-Ural region was studied by means of polymerase chain reaction. In the region examined the population-specific patterns of the ApoE alleles and genotypes frequency distribution were established. The results obtained were compared with the literature data on the ApoE polymorphism in other world populations. Substantial heterogeneity of different ethnic populations in respect to the ApoE genotypes distribution and frequency was revealed.