Polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region of MTG8 is associated with obesity in Pima Indian males.
Obesity has a genetic component and predisposes for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. One approach to identifying new candidate genes for obesity is to explore potential regulatory factors expressed in fat tissue that may play a role in adipocyte development or metabolic control. Because we found relatively abundant mRNA levels of the putative transcription factor MTG8 in human adipose tissue, a polymorphic microsatellite marker in the 3' untranslated region of this gene was genotyped in 281 Pima Indians, a population with one of the highest reported rates of obesity. We detected a male-specific association with age-adjusted percentage body fat (p = 0.0002), body mass index (p = 0.01), waist circumference (p = 0.008), and thigh circumference (p = 0.02). Comparative analysis of all 13 MTG8 exons in 30 Pimas did not reveal any genetic variants which could explain the association with obesity in males.
Wolford
J K
JK
Clinical Diabetes and Nutrition Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Arizona 85016, USA.
Bogardus
C
C
Prochazka
M
M
D000483:Alleles; D002898:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D000075142:RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D000075142:RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein; C082222:RUNX1T1 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors