Gene-environment interaction and the GNB3 gene in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction between the G-protein beta-3 (GNB3) 825C>T polymorphism and physical activity in relation to prevalent obesity and hypertension.


METHODS
The GNB3 825C>T genotype was measured in a sample of 14,716 African Americans (AAs) and whites from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, and logistic regression was used to test for genetic effects and gene-environment interactions.


RESULTS
The GNB3 825C>T variant was not independently associated with prevalent obesity or hypertension in either AA or whites. However, we observed a significant interaction (P<0.001) between this variant and physical activity in predicting obesity status in AAs. In AAs who were active, each 825T allele was associated with a 20% lower prevalence of obesity (odds ratio (OR)=0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.689-0.937, P=0.005), whereas each 825T allele was associated with a 23% greater prevalence of obesity for low-active individuals (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.06-1.44, P=0.008). We also found a significant interaction between the GNB3 825C>T polymorphism, obesity status and physical activity in predicting hypertension in the AA subjects. AA homozygotes for the 825T allele who were both obese and had a low activity level were 2.7 times more likely to be hypertensive, compared to non-obese, active 825C homozygotes (OR=2.71, 95% CI=1.19-6.17, P<0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the variation within the GNB3 gene may interact with physical activity level to influence obesity status and, together with obesity and physical activity, the GNB3 825C>T variant may influence hypertension prevalence in AAs.
Grove
M L
ML
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Human Genetics Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Morrison
A
A
Folsom
A R
AR
Boerwinkle
E
E
Hoelscher
D M
DM
Bray
M S
MS
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D015995:Prevalence; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
C454420:G-protein beta3 subunit; D021122:Protein Subunits; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins