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Li H, Liu G, Lu B, Zhou X. Novel compound heterozygous mutations in LEP responsible for obesity in a Chinese family. Mol Genet Metab Rep 2024; 40:101114. [PMID: 39041042 PMCID: PMC11261292 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2024.101114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Early childhood obesity poses a significant global public health challenge, necessitating the identification of treatable causes, particularly congenital leptin deficiencies. Serum leptin level measurement aids in diagnosing these rare contributors, guiding effective management. Methods A Chinese family with early-onset obesity underwent LEP mutational screening via direct sequencing. mRNA expression and protein stability patterns of LEP were separately analyzed using qPCR and bioinformatics. Results We present a case of a 12.5-year-old girl born to non-obese, non-consanguineous Chinese parents, exhibiting low leptin levels. Leptin gene sequencing revealed novel compound heterozygous mutations in exon 3. RT-PCR analysis showed the mutation didn't affect leptin production. Bioinformatics analysis indicated the variant rendered the leptin protein unstable. Conclusion Loss-of-function mutations in LEP underlies early-onset obesity in the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zibo Central Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, 255036 Zibo, China
| | - Guodong Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zibo Central Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, 255036 Zibo, China
| | - Bei Lu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy, Zibo Central Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, 255036 Zibo, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zibo Central Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, 255036 Zibo, China
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2
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Renard E, Thevenard-Berger A, Meyre D. Medical semiology of patients with monogenic obesity: A systematic review. Obes Rev 2024:e13797. [PMID: 38956946 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Patients with monogenic obesity display numerous medical features on top of hyperphagic obesity, but no study to date has provided an exhaustive description of their semiology. Two reviewers independently conducted a systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science Core Collection databases from inception to January 2022 to identify studies that described symptoms of patients carrying pathogenic mutations in at least one of eight monogenic obesity genes (ADCY3, LEP, LEPR, MC3R, MC4R, MRAP2, PCSK1, and POMC). Of 5207 identified references, 269 were deemed eligible after title and abstract screening, full-text reading, and risk of bias and quality assessment. Data extraction included mutation spectrum and mode of inheritance, clinical presentation (e.g., anthropometry, energy intake and eating behaviors, digestive function, puberty and fertility, cognitive features, infectious diseases, morphological characteristics, chronic respiratory disease, and cardiovascular disease), biological characteristics (metabolic profile, endocrinology, hematology), radiological features, and treatments. The review provides an exhaustive description of mandatory, non-mandatory, and unique symptoms in heterozygous and homozygous carriers of mutation in eight monogenic obesity genes. This information is critical to help clinicians to orient genetic testing in subsets of patients with suspected monogenic obesity and provide actionable treatments (e.g., recombinant leptin and MC4R agonist).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeline Renard
- INSERM UMR_S 1256, Nutrition, Genetics, and Environmental Risk Exposure (NGERE), Faculty of Medicine of Nancy, University of Lorraine, Nancy, France
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Nancy, Nancy, France
| | | | - David Meyre
- INSERM UMR_S 1256, Nutrition, Genetics, and Environmental Risk Exposure (NGERE), Faculty of Medicine of Nancy, University of Lorraine, Nancy, France
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Division of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Nutrition, University Hospital of Nancy, Nancy, France
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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3
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Abstract
Obesity is a common complex trait that elevates the risk for various diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A combination of environmental and genetic factors influences the pathogenesis of obesity. Advances in genomic technologies have driven the identification of multiple genetic loci associated with this disease, ranging from studying severe onset cases to investigating common multifactorial polygenic forms. Additionally, findings from epigenetic analyses of modifications to the genome that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence have emerged as key signatures in the development of obesity. Such modifications can mediate the effects of environmental factors, including diet and lifestyle, on gene expression and clinical presentation. This review outlines what is known about the genetic and epigenetic contributors to obesity susceptibility, along with the albeit limited therapeutic options currently available. Furthermore, we delineate the potential mechanisms of actions through which epigenetic changes can mediate environmental influences and the related opportunities they present for future interventions in the management of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanh Trang
- Center for Spatial and Functional Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Struan F.A. Grant
- Center for Spatial and Functional Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
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4
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Besci Ö, Fırat SN, Özen S, Çetinkaya S, Akın L, Kör Y, Pekkolay Z, Özalkak Ş, Özsu E, Erdeve ŞS, Poyrazoğlu Ş, Berberoğlu M, Aydın M, Omma T, Akıncı B, Demir K, Oral EA. A National Multicenter Study of Leptin and Leptin Receptor Deficiency and Systematic Review. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:2371-2388. [PMID: 36825860 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Homozygous leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) variants lead to childhood-onset obesity. OBJECTIVE To present new cases with LEP and LEPR deficiency, report the long-term follow-up of previously described patients, and to define, based on all reported cases in literature, genotype-phenotype relationships. METHODS Our cohort included 18 patients (LEP = 11, LEPR = 7), 8 of whom had been previously reported. A systematic literature review was conducted in July 2022. Forty-two of 47 studies on LEP/LEPR were selected. RESULTS Of 10 new cases, 2 novel pathogenic variants were identified in LEP (c.16delC) and LEPR (c.40 + 5G > C). Eleven patients with LEP deficiency received metreleptin, 4 of whom had been treated for over 20 years. One patient developed loss of efficacy associated with neutralizing antibody development. Of 152 patients, including 134 cases from the literature review in addition to our cases, frameshift variants were the most common (48%) in LEP and missense variants (35%) in LEPR. Patients with LEP deficiency were diagnosed at a younger age [3 (9) vs 7 (13) years, P = .02] and had a higher median body mass index (BMI) SD score [3.1 (2) vs 2.8 (1) kg/m2, P = 0.02], which was more closely associated with frameshift variants (P = .02). Patients with LEP deficiency were more likely to have hyperinsulinemia (P = .02). CONCLUSION Frameshift variants were more common in patients with LEP deficiency whereas missense variants were more common in LEPR deficiency. Patients with LEP deficiency were identified at younger ages, had higher BMI SD scores, and had higher rates of hyperinsulinemia than patients with LEPR deficiency. Eleven patients benefitted from long-term metreleptin, with 1 losing efficacy due to neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özge Besci
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir 35340, Turkey
| | - Sevde Nur Fırat
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Health Sciences Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara 06230, Turkey
| | - Samim Özen
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Semra Çetinkaya
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Health Sciences University, Dr Sami Ulus Obstetrics and Gynecology, Children's Health and Disease, Health Implementation and Research Center, Ankara 06010, Turkey
| | - Leyla Akın
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun 55030, Turkey
| | - Yılmaz Kör
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ministry of Health, Adana Public Hospitals Association, Adana City Hospital, Adana 01040, Turkey
| | - Zafer Pekkolay
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Diyarbakır 21280, Turkey
| | - Şervan Özalkak
- Division Pediatric Endocrinology, Diyarbakir Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakır 21070, Turkey
| | - Elif Özsu
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Şenay Savaş Erdeve
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Health Sciences University, Dr Sami Ulus Obstetrics and Gynecology, Children's Health and Disease, Health Implementation and Research Center, Ankara 06010, Turkey
| | - Şükran Poyrazoğlu
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul 34098, Turkey
| | - Merih Berberoğlu
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Murat Aydın
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun 55030, Turkey
| | - Tülay Omma
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Health Sciences Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara 06230, Turkey
| | - Barış Akıncı
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, İzmir 35340, Turkey
| | - Korcan Demir
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir 35340, Turkey
| | - Elif Arioglu Oral
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
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Mazen IH, El-Gammal MA, Elaidy AA, Anwar GM, Ashaat EA, Abdel-Ghafar SF, Abdel-Hamid MS. Congenital leptin and leptin receptor deficiencies in nine new families: identification of six novel variants and review of literature. Mol Genet Genomics 2023; 298:919-929. [PMID: 37140700 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-023-02025-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Early childhood obesity is a real public health problem worldwide. Identifying the etiologies, especially treatable and preventable causes, can direct health professionals toward proper management. Measurement of serum leptin levels is helpful in the diagnosis of congenital leptin and leptin receptor deficiencies which are considered important rare causes of early childhood obesity. The main aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of LEP, LEPR, and MC4R gene variants among a cohort of Egyptian patients with severe early onset obesity. The current cross-sectional study included 30 children who developed obesity during the first year of life with BMI > 2SD (for age and sex). The studied patients were subjected to full medical history taking, anthropometric measurements, serum leptin and insulin assays, and genetic testing of LEP, LEPR and MC4R. Disease causing variants in LEP and LEPR were identified in 10/30 patients with a detection rate of 30%. Eight different homozygous variants (two pathogenic, three likely pathogenic, and three variants of uncertain significant) were identified in the two genes, including six previously unreported LEPR variants. Of them, a new frameshift variant in LEPR gene (c.1045delT, p.S349Lfs*22) was recurrent in two unrelated families and seems to have a founder effect in our population. In conclusion, we reported ten new patients with leptin and leptin receptor deficiencies and identified six novel LEPR variants expanding the mutational spectrum of this rare disorder. Furthermore, the diagnosis of these patients helped us in genetic counseling and patients' managements specially with the availability of drugs for LEP and LEPR deficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inas H Mazen
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mona A El-Gammal
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aya A Elaidy
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ghada M Anwar
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Engy A Ashaat
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sherif F Abdel-Ghafar
- Medical Molecular Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Eltahrir Street, Dokki, Cairo, 12311, Egypt
| | - Mohamed S Abdel-Hamid
- Medical Molecular Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Eltahrir Street, Dokki, Cairo, 12311, Egypt.
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Hebebrand J, Hildebrandt T, Schlögl H, Seitz J, Denecke S, Vieira D, Gradl-Dietsch G, Peters T, Antel J, Lau D, Fulton S. The role of hypoleptinemia in the psychological and behavioral adaptation to starvation: implications for anorexia nervosa. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104807. [PMID: 35931221 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This narrative review aims to pinpoint mental and behavioral effects of starvation, which may be triggered by hypoleptinemia and as such may be amenable to treatment with leptin receptor agonists. The reduced leptin secretion results from the continuous loss of fat mass, thus initiating a graded triggering of diverse starvation related adaptive functions. In light of leptin receptors located in several peripheral tissues and many brain regions adaptations may extend beyond those of the hypothalamus-pituitary-end organ-axes. We focus on gastrointestinal tract and reward system as relevant examples of peripheral and central effects of leptin. Despite its association with extreme obesity, congenital leptin deficiency with its many parallels to a state of starvation allows the elucidation of mental symptoms amenable to treatment with exogenous leptin in both ob/ob mice and humans with this autosomal recessive disorder. For starvation induced behavioral changes with an intact leptin signaling we particularly focus on rodent models for which proof of concept has been provided for the causative role of hypoleptinemia. For humans, we highlight the major cognitive, emotional and behavioral findings of the Minnesota Starvation Experiment to contrast them with results obtained upon a lesser degree of caloric restriction. Evidence for hypoleptinemia induced mental changes also stems from findings obtained in lipodystrophies. In light of the recently reported beneficial cognitive, emotional and behavioral effects of metreleptin-administration in anorexia nervosa we discuss potential implications for the treatment of this eating disorder. We postulate that leptin has profound psychopharmacological effects in the state of starvation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Hebebrand
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, 45134 Essen, Germany
| | - Tom Hildebrandt
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Haiko Schlögl
- Department of Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Division of Endocrinology, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jochen Seitz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Germany
| | - Saskia Denecke
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, 45134 Essen, Germany
| | - Diana Vieira
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, 45134 Essen, Germany
| | - Gertraud Gradl-Dietsch
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, 45134 Essen, Germany
| | - Triinu Peters
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, 45134 Essen, Germany
| | - Jochen Antel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, 45134 Essen, Germany
| | - David Lau
- Department of Nutrition, Neuroscience - University of Montreal & CRCHUM, Montréal QC H3T1J4, Canada
| | - Stephanie Fulton
- Department of Nutrition, Neuroscience - University of Montreal & CRCHUM, Montréal QC H3T1J4, Canada
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Socol CT, Chira A, Martinez-Sanchez MA, Nuñez-Sanchez MA, Maerescu CM, Mierlita D, Rusu AV, Ruiz-Alcaraz AJ, Trif M, Ramos-Molina B. Leptin Signaling in Obesity and Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4713. [PMID: 35563103 PMCID: PMC9102849 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity and colorectal cancer (CRC) are among the leading diseases causing deaths in the world, showing a complex multifactorial pathology. Obesity is considered a risk factor in CRC development through inflammation, metabolic, and signaling processes. Leptin is one of the most important adipokines related to obesity and an important proinflammatory marker, mainly expressed in adipose tissue, with many genetic variation profiles, many related influencing factors, and various functions that have been ascribed but not yet fully understood and elucidated, the most important ones being related to energy metabolism, as well as endocrine and immune systems. Aberrant signaling and genetic variations of leptin are correlated with obesity and CRC, with the genetic causality showing both inherited and acquired events, in addition to lifestyle and environmental risk factors; these might also be related to specific pathogenic pathways at different time points. Moreover, mutation gain is a crucial factor enabling the genetic process of CRC. Currently, the inconsistent and insufficient data related to leptin's relationship with obesity and CRC indicate the necessity of further related studies. This review summarizes the current knowledge on leptin genetics and its potential relationship with the main pathogenic pathways of obesity and CRC, in an attempt to understand the molecular mechanisms of these associations, in the context of inconsistent and contradictory data. The understanding of these mechanisms linking obesity and CRC could help to develop novel therapeutic targets and prevention strategies, resulting in a better prognosis and management of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra Chira
- 2nd Medical Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Maria Antonia Martinez-Sanchez
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain; (M.A.M.-S.); (M.A.N.-S.)
| | - Maria Angeles Nuñez-Sanchez
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain; (M.A.M.-S.); (M.A.N.-S.)
| | | | - Daniel Mierlita
- Department of Nutrition, University of Oradea, 410048 Oradea, Romania;
| | - Alexandru Vasile Rusu
- Life Science Institute, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Antonio Jose Ruiz-Alcaraz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular B and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain;
| | - Monica Trif
- Department of Food Research, Centiv GmbH, 28857 Syke, Germany;
| | - Bruno Ramos-Molina
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 Murcia, Spain; (M.A.M.-S.); (M.A.N.-S.)
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Manju SK, Anilkumar TR, Vysakh G, Leena BK, Lekshminarayan V, Kumar PG, Shenoy TK. A Case-Control Study of the Association of Leptin Gene Polymorphisms with Plasma Leptin Levels and Obesity in the Kerala Population. J Obes 2022; 2022:1040650. [PMID: 36619235 PMCID: PMC9812639 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1040650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the last few years, the importance of leptin in energy metabolism has been extensively studied in both animal models and in humans. Very few results are available on the association between human leptin gene (LEP) variants and obesity traits in India. We designed this study to analyse the polymorphisms in human leptin gene and the association of sequence variants with obesity among the population in Kerala, South India. METHODS In this case-control design of 148 study participants, data were collected on socioeconomic aspects and anthropometric measurements. Plasma glucose, insulin, leptin, and lipid profile were measured. Genotyping was done by automated DNA sequencing. RESULTS The common Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) of 5'-UTR of LEP - 2548G/A was found to be present in the study population with "A" variant as dominant allele. A novel synonymous mutation Thr5Thr of exon 2 of LEP was identified in heterozygous form in one subject with morbid obesity with hyperleptinemia. A novel missense mutation Phe17Leu was observed in two subjects with obesity in heterozygous condition. A novel missense mutation Lys36Arg in exon 2 of LEP was observed in one subject with abdominal obesity and decreased serum leptin level. CONCLUSION LEP - 2548G/A at 5'-untranslated region was found to be common with the mutant "A" variant in the study population. SNPs of exons in LEP were found to be rare but associated with morbid obesity and altered levels of serum leptin in the study population in Kerala, India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudharmadevi K. Manju
- Department of Biochemistry, Sree Gokulam Medical College and Research Foundation, Thiruvananthapuram 695607, Kerala, India
| | - Thottathil R. Anilkumar
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud PO, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
| | - G. Vysakh
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud PO, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Balakumaran K. Leena
- Population Health and Research Institute, Medical College P.O., Thiruvananthapuram 695011, Kerala, India
| | | | - Pradeep G. Kumar
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud PO, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Trivikrama K. Shenoy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sree Gokulam Medical College and Research Foundation, Thiruvananthapuram 695607, Kerala, India
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9
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Koerber-Rosso I, Brandt S, von Schnurbein J, Fischer-Posovszky P, Hoegel J, Rabenstein H, Siebert R, Wabitsch M. A fresh look to the phenotype in mono-allelic likely pathogenic variants of the leptin and the leptin receptor gene. Mol Cell Pediatr 2021; 8:10. [PMID: 34448070 PMCID: PMC8390564 DOI: 10.1186/s40348-021-00119-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) play a major role in energy homeostasis, metabolism, and reproductive function. While effects of biallelic likely pathogenic variants (-/-) on the phenotype are well characterized, effects of mono-allelic likely pathogenic variants (wt/-) in the LEP and LEPR gene on the phenotype compared to wild-type homozygosity (wt/wt) have not been systematically investigated. We identified in our systematic review 44 animal studies (15 on Lep, 29 on Lepr) and 39 studies in humans reporting on 130 mono-allelic likely pathogenic variant carriers with 20 distinct LEP variants and 108 heterozygous mono-allelic likely pathogenic variant carriers with 35 distinct LEPR variants. We found indications for a higher weight status in carriers of mono-allelic likely pathogenic variant in the leptin and in the leptin receptor gene compared to wt/wt, in both animal and human studies. In addition, animal studies showed higher body fat percentage in Lep and Lepr wt/- vs wt/wt. Animal studies provided indications for lower leptin levels in Lep wt/- vs. wt/wt and indications for higher leptin levels in Lepr wt/- vs wt/wt. Data on leptin levels in human studies was limited. Evidence for an impaired metabolism in mono-allelic likely pathogenic variants of the leptin and in leptin receptor gene was not conclusive (animal and human studies). Mono-allelic likely pathogenic variants in the leptin and in leptin receptor gene have phenotypic effects disposing to increased body weight and fat accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Koerber-Rosso
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Stephanie Brandt
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Julia von Schnurbein
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Pamela Fischer-Posovszky
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Josef Hoegel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Hannah Rabenstein
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Reiner Siebert
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Martin Wabitsch
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
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10
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Salum KCR, Rolando JDM, Zembrzuski VM, Carneiro JRI, Mello CB, Maya-Monteiro CM, Bozza PT, Kohlrausch FB, da Fonseca ACP. When Leptin Is Not There: A Review of What Nonsyndromic Monogenic Obesity Cases Tell Us and the Benefits of Exogenous Leptin. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:722441. [PMID: 34504472 PMCID: PMC8421737 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.722441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a pandemic condition of complex etiology, resulting from the increasing exposition to obesogenic environmental factors combined with genetic susceptibility. In the past two decades, advances in genetic research identified variants of the leptin-melanocortin pathway coding for genes, which are related to the potentiation of satiety and hunger, immune system, and fertility. Here, we review cases of congenital leptin deficiency and the possible beneficial effects of leptin replacement therapy. In summary, the cases presented here show clinical phenotypes of disrupted bodily energy homeostasis, biochemical and hormonal disorders, and abnormal immune response. Some phenotypes can be partially reversed by exogenous administration of leptin. With this review, we aim to contribute to the understanding of leptin gene mutations as targets for obesity diagnostics and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaio Cezar Rodrigues Salum
- Human Genetic Laboratory, Department of General Biology, Institute of Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Brazil
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jônatas de Mendonça Rolando
- Human Genetic Laboratory, Department of General Biology, Institute of Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Brazil
| | | | - João Regis Ivar Carneiro
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cicero Brasileiro Mello
- Human Genetic Laboratory, Department of General Biology, Institute of Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Brazil
| | | | - Patrícia Torres Bozza
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Barzotto Kohlrausch
- Human Genetic Laboratory, Department of General Biology, Institute of Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Proença da Fonseca
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Ana Carolina Proença da Fonseca,
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11
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Danielsson J, Noel JK, Simien JM, Duggan BM, Oliveberg M, Onuchic JN, Jennings PA, Haglund E. The Pierced Lasso Topology Leptin has a Bolt on Dynamic Domain Composed by the Disordered Loops I and III. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:3050-3063. [PMID: 32081588 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Leptin is an important signaling hormone, mostly known for its role in energy expenditure and satiety. Furthermore, leptin plays a major role in other proteinopathies, such as cancer, marked hyperphagia, impaired immune function, and inflammation. In spite of its biological relevance in human health, there are no NMR resonance assignments of the human protein available, obscuring high-resolution characterization of the soluble protein and/or its conformational dynamics, suggested as being important for receptor interaction and biological activity. Here, we report the nearly complete backbone resonance assignments of human leptin. Chemical shift-based secondary structure prediction confirms that in solution leptin forms a four-helix bundle including a pierced lasso topology. The conformational dynamics, determined on several timescales, show that leptin is monomeric, has a rigid four-helix scaffold, and a dynamic domain, including a transiently formed helix. The dynamic domain is anchored to the helical scaffold by a secondary hydrophobic core, pinning down the long loops of leptin to the protein body, inducing motional restriction without a well-defined secondary or tertiary hydrogen bond stabilized structure. This dynamic region is well suited for and may be involved in functional allosteric dynamics upon receptor binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Danielsson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | | | - Brendan Michael Duggan
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Mikael Oliveberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - José Nelson Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, USA; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Chemistry, And Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, USA
| | - Patricia Ann Jennings
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Ellinor Haglund
- The Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, USA.
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12
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Liu Y, Yang W, Hua R, Huang Y, Zhang X. Pathogenic mutations in two Chinese patients exhibiting severe early-onset obesity. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2019; 62:1554-1556. [PMID: 31102178 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-018-9443-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yanshan Liu
- McKusick-Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
| | - Wei Yang
- Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Rui Hua
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yingzhi Huang
- McKusick-Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- McKusick-Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
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13
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Yupanqui-Lozno H, Bastarrachea RA, Yupanqui-Velazco ME, Alvarez-Jaramillo M, Medina-Méndez E, Giraldo-Peña AP, Arias-Serrano A, Torres-Forero C, Garcia-Ordoñez AM, Mastronardi CA, Restrepo CM, Rodriguez-Ayala E, Nava-Gonzalez EJ, Arcos-Burgos M, Kent JW, Cole SA, Licinio J, Celis-Regalado LG. Congenital Leptin Deficiency and Leptin Gene Missense Mutation Found in Two Colombian Sisters with Severe Obesity. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10050342. [PMID: 31067764 PMCID: PMC6562380 DOI: 10.3390/genes10050342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Congenital leptin deficiency is a recessive genetic disorder associated with severe early-onset obesity. It is caused by mutations in the leptin (LEP) gene, which encodes the protein product leptin. These mutations may cause nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, defective secretion or the phenomenon of biologically inactive leptin, but typically lead to an absence of circulating leptin, resulting in a rare type of monogenic extreme obesity with intense hyperphagia, and serious metabolic abnormalities. Methods: We present two severely obese sisters from Colombia, members of the same lineal consanguinity. Their serum leptin was measured by MicroELISA. DNA sequencing was performed on MiSeq equipment (Illumina) of a next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel involving genes related to severe obesity, including LEP. Results: Direct sequencing of the coding region of LEP gene in the sisters revealed a novel homozygous missense mutation in exon 3 [NM_002303.3], C350G>T [p.C117F]. Detailed information and clinical measurements of these sisters were also collected. Their serum leptin levels were undetectable despite their markedly elevated fat mass. Conclusions: The mutation of LEP, absence of detectable leptin, and the severe obesity found in these sisters provide the first evidence of monogenic leptin deficiency reported in the continents of North and South America.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Claudio A Mastronardi
- NeuRos, Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111711, Colombia.
| | - Carlos M Restrepo
- GeniURos, CIGGUR, Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111711, Colombia.
| | | | | | - Mauricio Arcos-Burgos
- Grupo de Investigación en Psiquiatría (GIPSI), Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia.
| | - Jack W Kent
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA.
| | - Shelley A Cole
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA.
| | - Julio Licinio
- SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
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14
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Dayal D, Seetharaman K, Panigrahi I, Muthuvel B, Agarwal A. Severe Early Onset Obesity due to a Novel Missense Mutation in Exon 3 of the Leptin Gene in an Infant from Northwest India. J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol 2018; 10:274-278. [PMID: 29217499 PMCID: PMC6083471 DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.5501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Monogenic obesity, caused by mutations in one of the genes involved in the control of hunger and satiety, is a rare cause of early onset obesity (EOO). The most common of the single gene alterations affect the leptin gene (LEP), resulting in congenital leptin deficiency that manifests as intense hyperphagia, EOO and severe obesity associated with hormonal and metabolic alterations. Only eight mutations of (LEP associated with congenital leptin deficiency have been described in humans to date. In this study, we report a novel, homozygous, missense mutation in exon 3 of the (LEP gene (chr7:127894610;c.298G>A) resulting in the amino acid substitution of asparagine for aspartic acid at codon 100 (p.Asp100Asn) in a 10-month-old infant who presented to us with severe hyperphagia and EOO. She was subsequently found to have low serum leptin concentrations. Additionally, a homozygous missense variation of unknown significance in exon 11 of Bardet-Biedl syndrome-1 gene (chr11:66291279; G>A; Depth 168x) was detected. Significant abnormalities of lipid parameters were also present in our patient. Both parents were thin but there was a family history suggestive of EOO in a paternal uncle and a cousin. In conclusion, we report the second patient from India with a novel mutation of the (LEP gene associated with severe obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devi Dayal
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Chandigarh, India,* Address for Correspondence: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Chandigarh, India Phone: +91-172-2755657 E-mail:
| | - Keerthivasan Seetharaman
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Inusha Panigrahi
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic-Metabolic, Chandigarh, India
| | - Balasubramaniyan Muthuvel
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ashish Agarwal
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Chandigarh, India
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15
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Haglund E, Nguyen L, Schafer NP, Lammert H, Jennings PA, Onuchic JN. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind disease-associated leptin variants. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:12919-12933. [PMID: 29950524 PMCID: PMC6102133 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.003957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The pleiotropic hormone leptin has a pivotal role in regulating energy balance by inhibiting hunger and increasing energy expenditure. Homozygous mutations found in the leptin gene are associated with extreme obesity, marked hyperphagia, and impaired immune function. Although these mutations have been characterized in vivo, a detailed understanding of how they affect leptin structure and function remains elusive. In the current work, we used NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, molecular dynamics simulations, and bioinformatics calculations to characterize the effects of these mutations on leptin structure and function and binding to its cognate receptor. We found that mutations identified in patients with congenital leptin deficiency not only cause leptin misfolding or aggregation, but also cause changes in the dynamics of leptin residues on the receptor-binding interface. Therefore, we infer that mutation-induced leptin deficiency may arise from several distinct mechanisms including (i) blockade of leptin receptor interface II, (ii) decreased affinity in the second step of leptin's interaction with its receptor, (iii) leptin destabilization, and (iv) unsuccessful threading through the covalent loop, leading to leptin misfolding/aggregation. We propose that this expanded framework for understanding the mechanisms underlying leptin deficiency arising from genetic mutations may be useful in designing therapeutics for leptin-associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellinor Haglund
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, and Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005.
| | - Lannie Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Nicholas Peter Schafer
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, and Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005
| | - Heiko Lammert
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, and Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005
| | - Patricia Ann Jennings
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093.
| | - José Nelson Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, and Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005; Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry, and Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005.
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16
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Pigeyre M, Saqlain M, Turcotte M, Raja GK, Meyre D. Obesity genetics: insights from the Pakistani population. Obes Rev 2018; 19:364-380. [PMID: 29265593 DOI: 10.1111/obr.12644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The Pakistani population is extensively diverse, indicating a genetic admixture of European and Central/West Asian migrants with indigenous South Asian gene pools. Pakistanis are organized in different ethnicities/castes based on cultural, linguistic and geographical origin. While Pakistan is facing a rapid nutritional transition, the rising prevalence of obesity is driving a growing burden of health complications and mortality. This represents a unique opportunity for the research community to study the interplay between obesogenic environmental changes and obesity predisposing genes in the time frame of one generation. This review recapitulates the ancestral origins of Pakistani population, the societal determinants of the rise in obesity and its governmental management. We describe the contribution of syndromic, monogenic non-syndromic and polygenic obesity genes identified in the Pakistani population. We then discuss the utility of gene identification approaches based on large consanguineous families and original gene × environment interaction study designs in discovering new obesity genes and causal pathways. Elucidation of the genetic basis of obesity in the Pakistani population may result in improved methods of obesity prevention and treatment globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pigeyre
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Department of Nutrition, CHRU Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - M Saqlain
- Department of Biochemistry, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - M Turcotte
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - G K Raja
- Department of Biochemistry, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - D Meyre
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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17
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Saeed S, Arslan M, Froguel P. Genetics of Obesity in Consanguineous Populations: Toward Precision Medicine and the Discovery of Novel Obesity Genes. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2018; 26:474-484. [PMID: 29464904 DOI: 10.1002/oby.22064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2016] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Consanguinity has been instrumental in the elucidation of many Mendelian genetic diseases. Here, the unique advantage of consanguineous populations was considered in the quest for genes causing obesity. METHODS PubMed was searched for articles relevant to consanguinity and obesity published between 1995 and 2016. Some earlier articles of interest were also consulted. RESULTS Although obesity is the most heritable disorder, even in outbred populations, only 2% to 5% of severe obesity cases have so far been proven to be caused by single gene mutations. In some highly consanguineous populations, a remarkably higher proportion of obesity cases because of known and novel monogenic variants has been identified (up to 30%). CONCLUSIONS Combining the power conferred by consanguinity with current large-capacity sequencing techniques should bring new genetic factors and molecular mechanisms to the fore, unveiling a large part of the yet-elusive neurohumoral circuitry involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis and appetite. Importantly, the undertaking of such initiatives is destined to unfold novel targets for the development of precision medicine relevant to different forms of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Saeed
- Department of Genomics of Common Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
- CNRS, Pasteur Institute of Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Muhammad Arslan
- Centre for Research in Molecular Medicine, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Forman Christian College, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Philippe Froguel
- Department of Genomics of Common Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
- CNRS, Pasteur Institute of Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
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18
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19
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Nunziata A, Borck G, Funcke JB, Kohlsdorf K, Brandt S, Hinney A, Moepps B, Gierschik P, Debatin KM, Fischer-Posovszky P, Wabitsch M. Estimated prevalence of potentially damaging variants in the leptin gene. Mol Cell Pediatr 2017; 4:10. [PMID: 29101506 PMCID: PMC5670095 DOI: 10.1186/s40348-017-0074-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mutations in the leptin gene (LEP) can alter the secretion or interaction of leptin with its receptor, leading to extreme early-onset obesity. The purpose of this work was to estimate the prevalence of heterozygous and homozygous mutations in the leptin gene with the help of the Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC) database (http://exac.broadinstitute.org/about). Results The ExAC database encompasses exome sequencing data from 60,706 individuals. We searched for listed leptin variants and identified 36 missense, 1 in-frame deletion, and 3 loss-of-function variants. The functional relevance of these variants was assessed by the in silico prediction tools PolyPhen-2, Sorting Intolerant from Tolerant (SIFT), and Loss-Of-Function Transcript Effect Estimator (LOFTEE). PolyPhen-2 predicted 7 of the missense variants to be probably damaging and 10 to be possibly damaging. SIFT predicted 7 of the missense variants to be deleterious. Three loss-of-function variants were predicted by LOFTEE. Excluding double counts, we can summarize 21 variants as potentially damaging. Considering the allele count, we identified 31 heterozygous but no homozygous subjects with at least probably damaging variants. In the ExAC population, the estimated prevalence of heterozygous carriers of these potentially damaging variants was 1:2000. The probability of homozygosity was 1:15,000,000. We furthermore tried to assess the functionality of ExAC-listed leptin variants by applying a knowledge-driven approach. By this approach, additional 6 of the ExAC-listed variants were considered potentially damaging, increasing the number of heterozygous subjects to 58, the prevalence of heterozygosity to 1:1050, and the probability of homozygosity to 1:4,400,000. Conclusion Using exome sequencing data from ExAC, in silico prediction tools and by applying a knowledge-driven approach, we identified 27 probably damaging variants in the leptin gene of 58 heterozygous subjects. With this information, we estimate the prevalence for heterozygosity at 1:1050 corresponding to an prevalence of homozygosity of 1:4,400,000 in this large pluriethnic cohort. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40348-017-0074-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Nunziata
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Eythstr. 24, D-89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Guntram Borck
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan-Bernd Funcke
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Eythstr. 24, D-89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Katja Kohlsdorf
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Eythstr. 24, D-89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Stephanie Brandt
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Eythstr. 24, D-89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anke Hinney
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Universität Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Virchowstr. 174, D-45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Barbara Moepps
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universität Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Peter Gierschik
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universität Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Klaus-Michael Debatin
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Eythstr. 24, D-89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Pamela Fischer-Posovszky
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Eythstr. 24, D-89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Martin Wabitsch
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Eythstr. 24, D-89075, Ulm, Germany.
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20
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Abstract
Obesity is a complex, heritable trait influenced by the interplay of genetics, epigenetics, metagenomics and the environment. With the increasing access to high precision diagnostic tools for genetic investigations, numerous genes influencing the phenotype have been identified, especially in early onset severe obesity. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the known genetic causes of obesity and the available therapeutic options. Furthermore, we discuss the role and potential mechanism of epigenetic changes that may be involved as mediators of the environmental influences and that may provide future opportunities for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidhu V Thaker
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
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21
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Altawil AS, Mawlawi HA, Alghamdi KA, Almijmaj FF. A Novel Homozygous Frameshift Mutation in Exon 2 of LEP Gene Associated with Severe Obesity: A Case Report. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-PEDIATRICS 2016; 10:115-118. [PMID: 27980447 PMCID: PMC5153319 DOI: 10.4137/cmped.s40432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monogenic obesity is a rare type of obesity caused by a mutation in a single gene. Patients with monogenic obesity may develop early onset of obesity and severe metabolic abnormalities. CASE PRESENTATION A two-and-half-year-old girl was presented to our clinic because of excessive weight gain and hyperphagia. She was born at full term, by normal vaginal delivery with birth weight of 2.82 kg and no complications during pregnancy. The patient was the second child of two healthy, non-obese Saudis with known consanguinity. She gained weight rapidly leading to obesity at the age of three months. METHODS The demographic data and clinical features were recorded. Blood samples were collected and tested for endocrine and metabolic characteristics and genetic studies. Mutations of the LEP gene were screened. The coding exons 2 and 3 and the corresponding exon–intron boundaries were amplified by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers, analyzed by direct sequencing using an ABI sequencer 3500 xL GA (Applied Biosystems), and evaluated using the JSI SeqPilot software. The resulting sequence data were compared with the reference MM_0002302. CONCLUSION We report a novel homozygous frameshift mutation c.144delin TAC (G1n49Thrfs*23) in exon 2 of the LEP gene associated with extreme obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwaq Shukri Altawil
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Horia Ahmad Mawlawi
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Ateeq Alghamdi
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Faten Fohaid Almijmaj
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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22
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Xu S, Zhu X, Li H, Hu Y, Zhou J, He D, Feng Y, Lu L, Du G, Hu Y, Liu T, Wang Z, Ding G, Chen J, Gao S, Wu F, Xue Z, Li Y, Fan G. The 14th Ile residue is essential for Leptin function in regulating energy homeostasis in rat. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28508. [PMID: 27378381 PMCID: PMC4932527 DOI: 10.1038/srep28508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
LEPTIN (LEP) is a circulating hormone released primarily from white adipocytes and is crucial for regulating satiety and energy homeostasis in humans and animals. Using the CRISPR technology, we created a set of Lep mutant rats that carry either null mutations or a deletion of the 14(th) Ile (LEP(∆I14)) in the mature LEP protein. We examined the potential off-target sites (OTS) by whole-genome high-throughput sequencing and/or Sanger-sequencing analysis and found no OTS in mutant rats. Mature LEP(∆I14) is incessantly produced and released to blood at a much elevated level due to the feedback loop. Structure modeling of binding conformation between mutant LEP(∆I14) and LEPTIN receptor (LEPR) suggests that the conformation of LEP(∆I14) impairs its binding with LEPR, consistent with its inability to activate STAT3-binding element in the luciferase reporter assay. Phenotypic study demonstrated that Lep(∆I14) rats recapitulate phenotypes of Lep-null mutant rats including obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hepatic steatosis, nephropathy, and infertility. Compared to the existing ob/ob mouse models, this Lep(∆I14/∆I14) rat strain provides a robust tool for further dissecting the roles of LEP in the diabetes related kidney disease and reproduction problem, beyond its well established function in regulating energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyang Xu
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xianmin Zhu
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hong Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Youtian Hu
- Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jinping Zhou
- Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Di He
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yun Feng
- Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Lina Lu
- Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Guizhen Du
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Youjin Hu
- Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China.,Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Tiancheng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Guohui Ding
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jiayu Chen
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Fang Wu
- Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhigang Xue
- Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yixue Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Guoping Fan
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.,Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
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Wasim M, Awan FR, Najam SS, Khan AR, Khan HN. Role of Leptin Deficiency, Inefficiency, and Leptin Receptors in Obesity. Biochem Genet 2016; 54:565-72. [PMID: 27313173 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-016-9751-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Leptin protein consists of 167 amino acids, which is mainly secreted from the white adipose tissue. This protein acts on the hypothalamic regions of the brain which control eating behavior, thus playing a significant role in maintaining body's metabolism. Leptin receptors belong to glycoprotein 130 (gp130) family of cytokine receptors and exist in six isoforms (LEPR a-f), and all the isoforms are encoded by LEPR gene; out of these isoforms, the LEPR-b receptor is the 'longest form,' and in most of the cases, mutations in this isoform cause severe obesity. Also, mutations in the leptin gene (LEP) or its receptors gene can lead to obesity. Some biochemical pathways affect the bioactivity of leptin and/or its receptors. To date, eleven pathogenic mutations have been reported in the LEP which are p.L72S, p.N103K, p.R105W, p.H118L, p.S141C, p.W121X c.104_106delTCA, c.135del3bp, c.398delG, c.481_482delCT, and c.163C>T. Different mutations in the LEPR have also been reported as c.2396-1 G>T, c.1675 G>A, p.P316T, etc. In some studies, where leptin was deficient, leptin replacement therapy has shown positive impact by preventing weight gain and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Wasim
- Diabetes and Cardio-Metabolic Disorders Laboratory, Health Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan.
| | - Fazli Rabbi Awan
- Diabetes and Cardio-Metabolic Disorders Laboratory, Health Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Syeda Sadia Najam
- Diabetes and Cardio-Metabolic Disorders Laboratory, Health Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Rehman Khan
- Obesity and Diabetes Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
| | - Haq Nawaz Khan
- Diabetes and Cardio-Metabolic Disorders Laboratory, Health Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan
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Shabana, Hasnain S. The p. N103K mutation of leptin (LEP) gene and severe early onset obesity in Pakistan. Biol Res 2016; 49:23. [PMID: 27075752 PMCID: PMC4831177 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-016-0082-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is a complex disorder and has been increasing globally at alarming rates including Pakistan. However, there is scarce research on understanding obesity genetics in Pakistan. Leptin is a hormone secreted by adipocytes in response to satiety and correlates with body weight. Any mutations in the LEP gene have an adverse effect on energy regulation pathway and lead to severe, early onset obesity. To date, only eight mutations have been described in the LEP gene of which p. N103K is one. METHODS We aimed to analyze the prevalence of this mutation in Pakistani subjects. A total of 475 subjects were genotyped by PCR-RFLP analysis and their serum profiling was done. RESULTS Results showed that this mutation was present only in one male child with early onset obesity (10 year). He had very low serum leptin levels suggestive of functional impact of the mutation. The prevalence of such mutations is, however, low due to the drastic effects on the energy regulation. CONCLUSION In conclusion, LEP gene mutations contribute significantly to the monogenic forms of obesity and are important due to the availability of treatment options. Such mutations may exert their effect by directly affecting energy regulation pathway and are more prominent in the early stages of life only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabana
- />Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590 Pakistan
| | - Shahida Hasnain
- />Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590 Pakistan
- />The Women University Multan, Multan, Pakistan
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25
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The Effects of Leptin Replacement on Neural Plasticity. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:8528934. [PMID: 26881138 PMCID: PMC4735938 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8528934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptin, an adipokine synthesized and secreted mainly by the adipose tissue, has multiple effects on the regulation of food intake, energy expenditure, and metabolism. Its recently-approved analogue, metreleptin, has been evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of patients with leptin deficiency due to mutations in the leptin gene, lipodystrophy syndromes, and hypothalamic amenorrhea. In such patients, leptin replacement therapy has led to changes in brain structure and function in intra- and extrahypothalamic areas, including the hippocampus. Furthermore, in one of those patients, improvements in neurocognitive development have been observed. In addition to this evidence linking leptin to neural plasticity and function, observational studies evaluating leptin-sufficient humans have also demonstrated direct correlation between blood leptin levels and brain volume and inverse associations between circulating leptin and risk for the development of dementia. This review summarizes the evidence in the literature on the role of leptin in neural plasticity (in leptin-deficient and in leptin-sufficient individuals) and its effects on synaptic activity, glutamate receptor trafficking, neuronal morphology, neuronal development and survival, and microglial function.
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26
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Aerts E, Beckers S, Zegers D, Van Camp JK, Van Hoorenbeeck K, Massa G, Verrijken A, Mertens IL, Verhulst SL, Rooman RR, Van Gaal LF, Van Hul W. Genetic and structural variation in the SH2B1 gene in the Belgian population. Mol Genet Metab 2015; 115:193-8. [PMID: 26031769 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2015.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Animal studies, genome-wide association and genomic structural variation studies have identified the SH2B1 gene as a candidate gene for obesity. Therefore, we have designed an extensive mutation and copy number variation (CNV) analysis investigating the prevalence of genetic and structural variations in SH2B1 in the Belgian population. DESIGN AND METHODS In the first part of this study, we performed a mutation screen for variants in the SH2B1 coding region in 581 obese children and adolescents and 433 healthy, lean individuals with high-resolution melting curve analysis followed by direct sequencing. In the second part of this study, Multiplex Amplicon Quantification (MAQ) analysis was used to identify CNVs in the distal SH2B1-containing chr.16p11.2 region in 421 obese children and adolescents with no developmental delay or behavioral phenotype. RESULTS Mutation analysis resulted in the identification of fifteen rare non-synonymous heterozygous variants. Several of these were found both in lean and obese subjects, suggesting that these are neutral polymorphisms. However, six private, heterozygous, non-synonymous variations were present in obese children only. Furthermore, we also identified six missense variants solely in lean individuals. CNV analysis could not identify carriers of the distal 16p11.2 deletion in our population. CONCLUSION Our mutation analysis has demonstrated that variation in the SH2B1 gene is frequent in both lean and obese groups, with distinctive variations being present on either side of the weight spectrum. Although the equal variation frequency does not immediately support disease causality, it cannot be excluded that some variations are weight-increasing or -decreasing. Further functional testing of the variants will be necessary to fully understand the impact of these variants on SH2B1. We were not able to detect carriers of the distal 16p11.2 deletion in our study population. As we excluded patients with developmental or behavioral problems, we suggest that in addition to obesity, the distal deletion might predispose for these traits. Further characterization of the phenotype is therefore necessary to clearly identify the phenotype of the distal 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evi Aerts
- Centre of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sigri Beckers
- Centre of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Doreen Zegers
- Centre of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | - Guy Massa
- Department of Pediatrics, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - An Verrijken
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ilse L Mertens
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stijn L Verhulst
- Department of Pediatrics, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Raoul R Rooman
- Department of Pediatrics, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Luc F Van Gaal
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Van Hul
- Centre of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Wabitsch M, Funcke JB, Lennerz B, Kuhnle-Krahl U, Lahr G, Debatin KM, Vatter P, Gierschik P, Moepps B, Fischer-Posovszky P. Biologically inactive leptin and early-onset extreme obesity. N Engl J Med 2015; 372:48-54. [PMID: 25551525 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1406653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the gene encoding leptin (LEP) typically lead to an absence of circulating leptin and to extreme obesity. We describe a 2-year-old boy with early-onset extreme obesity due to a novel homozygous transversion (c.298G→T) in LEP, leading to a change from aspartic acid to tyrosine at amino acid position 100 (p.D100Y) and high immunoreactive levels of leptin. Overexpression studies confirmed that the mutant protein is secreted but neither binds to nor activates the leptin receptor. The mutant protein failed to reduce food intake and body weight in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice. Treatment of the patient with recombinant human leptin (metreleptin) rapidly normalized eating behavior and resulted in weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Wabitsch
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (M.W., J.-B.F., B.L., P.F.-P.), Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (G.L., K.-M.D.), and the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.V., P.G., B.M.), University of Ulm, Ulm; and Endokrinologische Schwerpunktpraxis für Kinder- und Jugendliche, Gauting (U.K.-K.) - both in Germany
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28
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Funcke JB, von Schnurbein J, Lennerz B, Lahr G, Debatin KM, Fischer-Posovszky P, Wabitsch M. Monogenic forms of childhood obesity due to mutations in the leptin gene. Mol Cell Pediatr 2014; 1:3. [PMID: 26567097 PMCID: PMC4644131 DOI: 10.1186/s40348-014-0003-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 06/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital leptin deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive monogenic obesity syndrome caused by mutations in the leptin gene. This review describes the molecular and cellular characteristics of the eight distinct mutations found so far in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Bernd Funcke
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, 89075, Germany.
| | - Julia von Schnurbein
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, 89075, Germany.
| | - Belinda Lennerz
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, 89075, Germany.
| | - Georgia Lahr
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, 89075, Germany.
| | - Klaus-Michael Debatin
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, 89075, Germany.
| | - Pamela Fischer-Posovszky
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, 89075, Germany.
| | - Martin Wabitsch
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, 89075, Germany.
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