Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Candidate Gene Testing in Clinical Cohort Studies with Multiplexed Genotyping and Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 21, 2018
SLC6A14 and 5-HTR2C polymorphisms are associated with food intake and nutritional status in children
Raquel C K Miranda1, Silvia B Vetter1, Júlia P Genro2
1Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245/Anexo 2 - sala 07, CEP 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Background:
Serotonin plays a critical role in the regulation of food intake. The solute carrier family 6 member 14 (SLC6A14) and serotonin receptor 2C (5-HTR2C) genes are involved in the bioavailability and action of this neurotransmitter.
Objective:
Evaluation of the association of six polymorphisms in these genes with food intake and nutritional status in children followed to 7-8years of age.
Design:
Blood samples and the biodemographic data of 344 children were collected at three development stages, in a cross-sectional study undertaken with the cohort from a randomized trial. Polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-based techniques.
Results:
At 7 to 8years of age, carriers of the A alleles for both the SLC6A14 rs2312054 and SLC6A14 rs12391221 polymorphisms showed higher food intake, except for the sugar-dense food (SDF) intake parameter, than T/T and C/C homozygotes, respectively. Boy carriers of the C allele of rs2071877 had a higher sum of triceps and subscapular folds than T allele carriers at 7 to 8years old. For 5-HTR2C gene variants, A allele carriers (rs3813928) and T allele carriers (rs3813929) had higher food intake at 3 to 4years old than G/G and C/C homozygotes, respectively, except for SDF. At this age, the intake of energy-dense foods was higher in carriers of the T allele (rs3813929) than in C/C homozygotes.
Conclusion:
This study provides evidence that genetic variants of these proteins might be involved in the determination of food intake and nutritional status in children.
Related Concept Videos
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Glucose Transporters
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Regulation of Food Intake

