Polymorphisms of the TUB gene are associated with body composition and eating behavior in middle-aged women.
PLoS One 2008;
3:e1405. [PMID:
18183286 PMCID:
PMC2157487 DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0001405]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2007] [Accepted: 10/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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.
Methods/Findings
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.
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