Dopamine transporter genotype as a risk factor for obesity in African-American smokers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between a polymorphism related to dopamine function, dopamine transport (SLC6A3), and obesity in smokers.


METHODS
Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between this genetic polymorphism and obesity (body mass index > or = 30 kg/m(2)) from a sample of 510 smokers who smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day and who were participating in a study designed to examine genetic and nongenetic predictors of response to a pharmacological treatment.


RESULTS
The likelihood of obesity in African Americans (N = 90) with the 10/10 SLC6A3 genotype was 5.16 times that of African Americans with 9/9 or 9/10 SLC6A3 genotypes (odds ratio = 5.16, confidence interval = 1.60 to 16.65). There was no association of the SLC6A3 genotype with obesity for non-Hispanic whites (N = 420).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that variants of the dopamine transporter gene may be related to obesity in African-American smokers. Possible mechanisms responsible for the association between dopamine transport and obesity in African-American smokers are discussed.
Epstein
Leonard H
LH
Department of Pediatrics and. Sports Medicine Institute, University at Buffalo School of Medicine, New York 14214, USA. LHENET@acsu.buffalo.edu
Jaroni
Jodie L
JL
Paluch
Rocco A
RA
Leddy
John J
JJ
Vahue
Holly E
HE
Hawk
Larry
L
Wileyto
E Paul
EP
Shields
Peter G
PG
Lerman
Caryn
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D001741:Black or African American
D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493214:SLC6A3 protein, human