Evidence of a quantitative trait locus for energy and macronutrient intakes on chromosome 3q27.3: the Quebec Family Study.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the genes influencing dietary energy and nutrient intakes, despite evidence that these intakes are influenced by genetic factors.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to identify, by using a genome-wide linkage analysis, chromosomal regions harboring genes that affect energy and macronutrient intakes.


METHODS
Energy, carbohydrate, lipid, and protein intakes were assessed in 836 subjects from 217 families by using a 3-d dietary record. A total of 443 markers were genotyped and tested for linkage; age- and sex-adjusted energy and macronutrient intakes were expressed in grams and as percentages of total energy intake. Regression-based (Haseman-Elston) and variance-component (MERLIN) methods were applied to test for linkage with dietary data. A maximum of 454 sibpairs from 217 nuclear families were available for analysis.


RESULTS
The genome scan provided suggestive evidence (P < or = 0.0023) for the presence of 6 quantitative trait linkages influencing total caloric and macronutrient intakes in the Québec Family Study. Of these, multiple linkages were found on chromosome 3q27.3, in a region harboring the adiponectin gene, at marker D3S1262 for energy [logarithm of odds (LOD): 2.24], carbohydrate (LOD: 2.00), and lipid (LOD: 1.65) intakes. The peak linkages for carbohydrate, lipid, and protein intakes were found on chromosomes 1p32.2 (LOD: 2.39), 1p35.2 (LOD: 2.41), and 10p15.3 (LOD: 2.72), respectively. The linkage results remained significant after adjustment for body mass index, which suggested that the genes underlying these quantitative trait linkages influence dietary intake independent of body size.


CONCLUSIONS
The linkage on chromosome 3q27.3 with energy, lipid, and carbohydrate intakes suggests that this region of the genome may harbor genes that influence energy and macronutrient intakes in humans.
Division of Kinesiology, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, Canada.
Anne C
AC
Choquette
Simone
S
Lemieux
Angelo
A
Tremblay
Yvon C
YC
Chagnon
Claude
C
Bouchard
Marie-Claude
MC
Vohl
Louis
L
Pérusse
D000328:Adult; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002878:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 / Q000235:genetics; D002893:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 / Q000235:genetics; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015930:Diet Records; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D015894:Genome, Human; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D011792:Quebec; D012307:Risk Factors
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins