title: Common SNPs in LEP and LEPR associated with birth weight and type 2 diabetes-related metabolic risk factors in twins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Children born small for gestational age are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adulthood. The satiety signal leptin that regulates food intake and energy expenditure might be a possible molecular link, as umbilical cord leptin levels are positively correlated with birth weight. In the present study, we examined whether common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the leptin (LEP; 19G>A) gene and its receptor (LEPR; Q223R and K109R) are associated with birth weight and adult metabolic risk factors for type 2 diabetes in twins.
  
  
  METHODS
  SNPs were genotyped in 396 monozygotic and 232 dizygotic twins (286 men and 342 women, mean age 25 years) recruited from the East Flanders Prospective Twin Survey. Data were analysed using linear mixed models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The LEPR K109R SNP was associated with birth weight (KK, KR and RR (95% confidence interval, CI): 2511 (2465-2557), 2575 (2516-2635) and 2726 (2606-2845) gram; P(additive)=0.001). Also the LEPR Q223R SNP showed a significant association with weight at birth (QQ, QR and RR (95% CI): 2492 (2431-2554), 2545 (2495-2595) and 2655 (2571-2740) gram; P(additive)=0.003). Furthermore, an interaction between the LEPR K109R and the Q223R SNP on birth weight was observed (P=0.014). G allele carriers of the LEP 19G>A SNP had higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels compared to 19A homozygotes (GX vs AA (95% CI): 1.62 (1.58-1.66) vs 1.49 (1.40-1.58) mmol l(-1); P(recessive)=0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that leptin may act as a growth-promoting signal during fetal development, and suggests a possible role for the LEPR in explaining the inverse relationship between birth weight and the development of metabolic diseases in adulthood. Additionally, these results suggest that the LEP 19G>A SNP affect HDL cholesterol levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Complex Genetics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Nicole.Souren@GEN.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: N Y
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Souren
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Paulussen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steyls
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Loos
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Stassen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gielen
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Beunen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fagard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Derom
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vlietinck
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Geraedts
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Zeegers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000235:genetics*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020738:Leptin / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011446:Prospective Studies; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000235:genetics; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D020738:Leptin; D054411:Receptors, Leptin