Genetic contributors to obesity.
Genetic and environmental factors interact to regulate body weight. Overall, the heritability of obesity is estimated at 40% to 70%. More than 244 genes have been found to strongly affect adiposity when overexpressed or deleted in mice. These genes can be considered in four broad categories: regulation of food intake by molecular signalling in the hypothalamus and hindbrain by signals originating in adipose tissue, gut and other organs; regulation of adipocyte differentiation and fat storage; regulation of spontaneous exercise activity; and effect on basal and postprandial thermogenesis. Rare variants in the coding sequences of major candidate genes account for an obese phenotype in 5% to 10% of individuals.
McPherson
Ruth
R
University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ontario. rmcpherson@ottawaheart.ca
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D020738:Leptin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D020738:Leptin