Pleiotropic QTL on chromosome 19q13 for triglycerides and adiposity: The HERITAGE family study

Mary F. Feitosa, Treva Rice, Kari E. North, Aldi Kraja, Tuomo Rankinen, Arthur S. Leon, James S. Skinner, John Blangero, Claude Bouchard, D. C. Rao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Motivated by strong correlations between plasma levels of triglycerides (TG) and adiposity traits, we conducted a series of bivariate genome-wide linkage analyses of TG with body mass index (BMI), total fat mass (FAT), percentage of body fat (FATPC), and abdominal subcutaneous fat (ASF). Maximum lod scores of 3.3, 3.0, 2.2 and 2.4, respectively, were found on chromosome 19q13. This linkage region includes the APOE gene, a predictor of variation in lipid-lipoprotein levels, and the hormone-sensitive lipase (LIPE) gene, a key enzyme in the mobilization of fatty acids from triglyceride stores. In addition, the adiposity measures together with the APOE marker showed significant association with TG levels (p = 0.02 to p = 0.03). In summary, these results suggest that one or more QTLs in the 19q13 region jointly influence TG levels and adiposity. Polymorphisms in the APOE gene, and possibly LIPE gene, appear to be strong candidates for the source of this pleiotropic QTL.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)426-432
Number of pages7
JournalAtherosclerosis
Volume185
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2006

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The HERITAGE Family Study is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute through the following grants: HL45670 (C. Bouchard, PI), HL47323 (A.S. Leon, PI), HL47317 (D.C. Rao, PI) and HL47327 (J.S. Skinner, PI). It is also supported by a NIH grant to the University of Minnesota Clinical Research Center. A.S. Leon is supported in part by the Henry L. Taylor Professorship in Exercise Science and Health Enhancement. C. Bouchard is partially supported by the George A. Bray Chair in Nutrition. Gratitude is expressed to Dr. Jack Wilmore for his numerous contributions to the HERITAGE Family Study.

Keywords

  • Exercise
  • Genetic epidemiology
  • Lipids obesity
  • Quantitative trait loci
  • Risk factors

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