Several “nexus” genes, including the components of a multi-subunit complex involved in the terminal stages of cholesterol synthesis, miRNAs (e.g. miR-203, miR-511, miR-590-3p, miR- 346*/miR-1207-5p/miR-4763-3p), members of the GPCR family of proteins (e.g. GPR1, GPR64, GPRC5A,GPR171, GPR176, GPR32, GPR25, and GPR124) and signal transduction pathways were observed. These genes may play important roles in VSMC phenotype transformation and in the pathogenesis of AT and coronary artery disease and may provide novel targets for drug discovery. Here, GPR176 is linked to ataxia telangiectasia.