Obesity and polymorphisms in genes regulating human adipose tissue

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Metabolism
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Obesity results from an energy imbalance, leading to fat storage.
• Adipose tissue is crucial for energy regulation and stores the body's largest energy reserves.
• Genomic advancements, like microarray expression profiling, have identified obesity-regulated genes in adipose tissue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review adipose tissue-expressed genes associated with human obesity predisposition.
• To highlight key genes involved in adipogenesis, lipolysis, energy expenditure, and secreted molecules relevant to obesity.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on adipose tissue gene expression and obesity.
• Integration of expression profiles with genome-wide linkage and/or association analyses.
• Focus on candidate genes implicated in adipogenesis, lipolysis, and energy expenditure.

Main Results:

• Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and INSIG2 are implicated in adipogenesis.
• Adrenoreceptors beta 2 and 3, and hormone-sensitive lipase are involved in lipolysis.
• Uncoupling protein 2 affects mitochondrial energy expenditure; TNF-alpha and leptin are key secreted molecules.

Conclusions:

• Genomic research is rapidly identifying additional obesity risk genes related to adipose tissue function.
• Understanding these genes has significant implications for obesity prevention strategies.
• These findings may reveal novel therapeutic targets for obesity management.