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Genetics of leptin expression in baboons
S A Cole1, L J Martin, K W Peebles
1Department of Genetics, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, TX, USA. scole@darwin.sfbr.org
Summary
Leptin (LEP) levels are heritable in baboons, with higher expression in females. Genetic factors influence plasma leptin differently between sexes, impacting post-transcriptional regulation.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Endocrinology
- Primate research
Background:
- Leptin gene (LEP) expression is higher in females and influenced by energy intake and insulin.
- Inheritance patterns of leptin gene expression are not well understood.
- Sex-based differences in leptin levels are observed in humans and other mammals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if leptin gene expression is heritable in baboons.
- To investigate if genetic factors contribute to the sex-based differences in leptin expression.
- To analyze the genetic architecture of leptin levels and test for genotype-by-sex interactions.
Main Methods:
- Studied 319 pedigreed baboons (Papio hamadryas).
- Quantified leptin mRNA in omental adipose tissue and measured plasma leptin levels.
- Assessed adipocyte cell volume and weight.
- Employed maximum likelihood-based variance decomposition for genetic analysis.
Main Results:
- Omental LEP mRNA expression correlated positively with weight and adipocyte cell volume.
- Both LEP mRNA and plasma leptin levels were higher in females than males and were heritable.
- Plasma leptin showed a genotype-by-sex interaction, but omental LEP mRNA did not.
Conclusions:
- Baboon leptin expression patterns mirror human findings, with higher levels in females.
- Plasma leptin levels are influenced by sex-specific genetic factors, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation.
- Omental LEP mRNA levels do not exhibit the same sex-specific genetic influence.