6 new obesity genes discovered

Obesity is known to increase the risk of chronic disorders, such as diabetes (type 2). A group of international scientists in cooperation with Germany through Helmholtz Zentrum München identified six new obesity genes. Gene expression analysis has shown that all six genes are active in brain cells.

The GIANT international program (Study of genetic anthropometric parameters) has discovered obesity genes. So far, scientists have analyzed 2 million DNA mutations in 15 genetic studies with more than 32,000 participants. In this way, they identified genes confirmed in 14 other studies involving 59,000 people.In addition to the known FTO and MC4R genes, there are six other obesity genes identified: TMEM18, KCTD15, GNPDA2, SH2B1, MTCH2, and NEGR1.

Obesity is known to increase the risk of chronic disorders, such as diabetes (type 2). (Photo: stepsweightloss.com)

Gene expression analysis shows that all six genes are active in brain cells. At the same time, the previously known obesity genes, FTO and MC4R, have a similar expression process; In the case of the MC4R gene, the genetic-dependent effect on eating habits was established in advance. Scientists belong to the German National Genetic Research Network (NGFN), Professor H.-Erich Wichmann and Dr. Iris Heid from the Helmholtz Zentrum München, the Epidemiology Academy, who led the research team, emphasized: 'Certainly the two main causes of obesity are poor nutrition and lack of physical activity. But the biological factors of these genes show that genetic factors represent different responses of people to their lifestyles and environmental conditions. '

In addition to the SH2B1 gene, which serves to signal leptin and thus regulate appetite, none of the other five genes have been known to be obese. Iris Heid and colleague Claudia Lamina of Ludwigs-Maximilians-Universität München said: 'The statistical method of this genome analysis can create a new aspect in biology of weight control'.

The next step is to evaluate anthropometric assessments to give new insights into other aspects of obesity. In addition, they will expand and bring other studies into their analysis, because they realize that a single study is not enough, and only the combination is likely to succeed.

Refer:

Willer et al.Six new loci associated with body mass index highlight a neuronal influence on body weight regulation.Nature Genetics, 2009;41 (1): 25 DOI: 10.1038 / ng.287