title: Polymorphisms of the TUB gene are associated with body composition and eating behavior in middle-aged women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The TUB gene, encoding an evolutionary conserved protein, is highly expressed in the hypothalamus and might act as a transcription factor. Mutations in TUB cause late-onset obesity, insulin-resistance and neurosensory deficits in mice. An association of common variants in the TUB gene with body weight in humans has been reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aim was to investigate the relationship of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the TUB gene (rs2272382, rs2272383 and rs1528133) with both anthropometry and self-reported macronutrient intake from a validated food frequency questionnaire. These associations were studied in a population-based, cross-sectional study of 1680 middle-aged Dutch women, using linear regression analysis. The minor allele C of the rs1528133 SNP was significantly associated with increased weight (+1.88 kg, P = 0.022) and BMI (+0.56 units, P = 0.05). Compared with non-carriers, both AG heterozygotes and AA homozygotes of the rs2272382 SNP derived less energy from fat (AG: -0.55+/-0.28%, P = 0.05, AA: -0.95+/-0.48%, P = 0.047). However, both genotypes were associated with an increased energy intake from carbohydrates (0.69+/-0.33%, P = 0.04 and 1.68+/-0.56%, P = 0.003, respectively), mainly because of a higher consumption of mono- and disaccharides. Both these SNPs, rs2272382 and rs1528133, were also associated with a higher glycemic load in the diet. The glycemic load was higher among those with AG and AA genotypes for the variant rs2272382 than among the wild types (+1.49 (95% CI: -0.27-3.24) and +3.89 (95% CI: 0.94-6.85) units, respectively). Carriers of the minor allele C of rs1528133 were associated with an increased glycemic load of 1.85 units compared with non-carriers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genetic variation of the TUB gene was associated with both body composition and macronutrient intake, suggesting that TUB might influence eating behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jana V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: van Vliet-Ostaptchouk
authors.forename: N Charlotte
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Onland-Moret
authors.forename: Ronit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shiri-Sverdlov
authors.forename: Patrick J J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: van Gorp
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Custers
authors.forename: Petra H M
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.forename: Cisca
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wijmenga
authors.forename: Marten H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hofker
authors.forename: Yvonne T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: van der Schouw
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition / Q000235:genetics*; D015930:Diet Records; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D011506:Proteins; C508878:TUB protein, human