A Common Genetic Variant Is Associated with Adult and Childhood Obesity
Alan G. Herberta b c d e✉, Norman P. Gerrya b c d e, Matthew B. McQueena b c d e, Iris M. Heida b c d e, Arne Pfeufera b c d e, Thomas Illiga b c d e, H.‐Erich Wichmanna b c d e, Thomas Meitingera b c d e, David Huntera b c d e, Frank B. Hua b c d e, Graham A. Colditza b c d e, Anke Hinneya b c d e, Johannes Hebebranda b c d e, Kerstin Koberwitza b c d e, Xiaofeng Zhua b c d e, Richard Coopera b c d e, Kristin Ardliea b c d e, Helen N. Lyona b c d e, Joel N. Hirschhorna b c d e, Nan M. Lairda b c d e, Marc E. Lenburga b c d e, Christoph Langea b c d e, Michael F. Christmana b c d e✉
- aDepartment of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- bDepartment of Genetics and Genomics, Boston University Medical School, E613, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- cInstitute of Epidemiology, Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- dInstitute of Human Genetics, Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- eKORA Group, Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- ✉Corresponding author
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Abstract
Obesity is a heritable trait and a risk factor for many common diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. We used a dense whole-genome scan of DNA samples from the Framingham Heart Study participants to identify a common genetic variant near the INSIG2 gene associated with obesity. We have replicated the finding in four separate samples composed of individuals of Western European ancestry, African Americans, and children. The obesity-predisposing genotype is present in 10% of individuals. Our study suggests that common genetic polymorphisms are important determinants of obesity.
TL;DRA dense whole-genome scan of DNA samples from the Framingham Heart Study participants was used to identify a common genetic variant near the INSIG2 gene associated with obesity, suggesting that common genetic polymorphisms are important determinants of obesity. (Semantic Scholar)