Uncoupling protein 1 and 3 polymorphisms are associated with waist-to-hip ratio.
Body weight regulation is a complex phenotype also depending on the action of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) that mediate the "uncoupling" of respiration leading to the dissipation of energy as heat. This study investigated whether genetic variants in the genes encoding UCP-1 and UCP-3 are associated with different obesity-related phenotypes in 162 whites with a wide range of body mass index. All subjects were genotyped for the polymorphisms UCP-1 A-3826G, UCP-1 Ala64Thr, and UCP-3 C-55T using a PCR-based restriction method with appropriate enzymes. The frequencies of the UCP-1 3826G, UCP-1 64Thr, and UCP-3 55T alleles were 27.2%, 12.0%, and 22.8%, respectively. No significant associations were observed between polymorphism and body mass index or obesity. However, after adjustment for gender, age, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus the waist-to-hip ratio was significantly associated with UCP-1 Ala64Thr ( P=0.003) and UCP-3 C-55T ( P=0.02) but not with UCP-1 A-3826G. The higher waist-to-hip ratios associated with the UCP-1 64Thr and UCP-3 55T alleles were due to higher waist circumference in these allele carriers. In conclusion, central obesity in whites as reflected by an increased waist-to-hip ratio is associated with the UCP-1 Ala64Thr and UCP-3 C-55T polymorphisms. To what extent these genotypes contribute to the overall cardiovascular risk remains to be elucidated.
Herrmann
Stefan-Martin
SM
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Benjamin Franklin Medical Center, Freie Universität Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany.
Wang
Ji-Guang
JG
Staessen
Jan A
JA
Kertmen
Ercan
E
Schmidt-Petersen
Klaus
K
Zidek
Walter
W
Paul
Martin
M
Brand
Eva
E
D001824:Body Constitution / Q000235:genetics; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D000071247:Uncoupling Protein 3
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; C000604371:UCP1 protein, human; C000604392:UCP3 protein, human; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D000071247:Uncoupling Protein 3