title: Apolipoprotein-D polymorphism: a genetic marker for obesity and hyperinsulinemia.
abstract: Obesity frequently clusters with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease with hyperinsulinemia as syndrome X. Although central obesity has been recognized to have a strong genetic component, few candidate genes have been studied in this disorder. After a recently described association between the apolipoprotein-D (Apo-D) gene polymorphism and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus by our group, we have now looked at a TaqI polymorphism of the Apo-D gene in two other components of syndrome X, namely obesity and hyperinsulinemia. Apo-D genotype differences were found between obese subjects (n = 57) and slim controls (n = 57; P = 0.006). Furthermore, in the obese group an association was found between the Apo-D genotype and fasting insulin (P < 0.001). Preliminary evidence, therefore, suggests that the TaqI Apo-D polymorphism can be used as a genetic marker for obesity and several components of syndrome X.
authors.affiliation: Medical Unit, Royal London Hospital, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vijayaraghavan
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Hitman
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Kopelman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D053399:Apolipoproteins D; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D017566:Microvascular Angina / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
chemical_list: D001053:Apolipoproteins; D053399:Apolipoproteins D; D005819:Genetic Markers; D007328:Insulin; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; C027046:TCGA-specific type II deoxyribonucleases