Quantitative variation in obesity-related traits and insulin precursors linked to the OB gene region on human chromosome 7

Despite the evidence that human obesity has strong genetic determinants, efforts at identifying specific genes that influence human obesity have largely been unsuccessful. Using the sibship data obtained from 32 low income Mexican American pedigrees ascertained on a type II diabetic proband and a multipoint variance-components method, we tested for linkage between various obesity-related traits plus associated metabolic traits and 15 markers on human chromosome 7. We found evidence for linkage between markers in the OB gene region and various traits, as follows: D7S514 and extremity skinfolds (LOD = 3.1), human carboxypeptidase A1 (HCPA1) and 32,33-split proinsulin level (LOD = 4.2), and HCPA1 and proinsulin level (LOD = 3.2). A putative susceptibility locus linked to the marker D7S514 explained 56% of the total phenotypic variation in extremity skinfolds. Variation at the HCPA1 locus explained 64% of phenotypic variation in proinsulin level and approximately 73% of phenotypic variation in split proinsulin concentration, respectively. Weaker evidence for linkage to several other obesity-related traits (e.g., waist circumference, body-mass index, fat mass by bioimpedance, etc.) was observed for a genetic location, which is approximately 15 cM telomeric to OB. In conclusion, our study reveals that the OB region plays a significant role in determining the phenotypic variation of both insulin precursors and obesity-related traits, at least in Mexican Americans.

Evidence for linkage of regions on chromosomes 6 and 11 to plasma glucose concentrations in Mexican Americans

The genetic factors involved in type II diabetes are still unknown. To address this problem, we are creating a 10 to 15 cM genetic map on 444 individuals from 32 Mexican American families ascertained on a type II diabetic proband. Using highly polymorphic microsatellite markers and a multipoint variance components method, we found evidence for linkage of plasma glucose concentration 2 hr after oral glucose administration to two regions on chromosome 11: beta-hemoglobin (HBB) and markers D11S899/D11S1324 near the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) gene. Iod scores at these two loci were 2.77 and 3.37, respectively. The SUR gene region accounted for 44.7% of the phenotypic variance. Evidence for linkage to fasting glucose concentration was also observed for two loci on chromosome 6, one of which is identical to a proposed susceptibility locus for type I diabetes (D6S290). When diabetics were excluded from the analyses, all Iod scores became zero, suggesting that the observed linkages were with the trait diabetes rather than with normal variation in glucose levels. Results were similar whether all diabetics were included in the analyses or only those who were not under treatment with oral antidiabetic agents or insulin.