Promoter polymorphism in the macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene is associated with obesity.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the association of promoter polymorphisms of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene with obesity.


METHODS
In total, 213 nondiabetic Japanese subjects. They were divided into three groups according to World Health Organization definitions: lean (body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2), overweight (25 < or = BMI < 30 kg/m2) and obese (BMI> or = 30 kg/m2).


METHODS
We examined two polymorphic loci in the MIF gene in the subjects: a single-nucleotide polymorphism at position -173 (G/C) and a CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position -794, which both can affect promoter activity in different cells.


RESULTS
We detected four alleles: 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-CATT at position -794. Genotypes without the 5-CATT allele (X/X, X refers to 6-, 7- or 8-CATT alleles) were more common in obese subjects than in lean or overweight groups (P = 0.013). The X-CATT allele was more frequent in obese subjects than in lean or overweight subjects (P = 0.030). In contrast, -173G/C was not associated with obesity. Among the haplotypes of the two promoter polymorphisms, G/5-CATT ((-173G/C)/(-794[CATT](5-8))) was associated with a decreased risk of obesity (P = 0.025) and G/6-CATT with an increased risk of overweight (P=0.028).


CONCLUSIONS
Promoter polymorphism in the MIF gene is linked with obesity.
Sakaue
S
S
First Department of Medicine, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. sakaue-s@med.hokudai.ac.jp
Ishimaru
S
S
Hizawa
N
N
Ohtsuka
Y
Y
Tsujino
I
I
Honda
T
T
Suzuki
J
J
Kawakami
Y
Y
Nishihira
J
J
Nishimura
M
M
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D016015:Logistic Models; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors