Molecular Genetic Architecture of Morbid Obesity in Russian Children

Ildar R Minniakhmetov1, Rita I Khusainova1, Olga V Vasyukova1

  • 1Endocrinology Research Centre, 117292 Moscow, Russia.

Biomedicines
|March 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Genetic analysis of 163 Russian children with severe obesity identified 96 pathogenic gene variants, including 42 novel ones. This advances understanding of obesity genetics and aids personalized treatment approaches.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Global rise in childhood obesity presents a significant health challenge.
  • Obesity is a key factor in developing metabolic disorders.
  • Identifying genetic variants in severe childhood obesity is crucial for endocrinology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize pathogenic gene variants in Russian children with morbid obesity.
  • To understand the genetic basis of severe obesity in this population.
  • To inform personalized diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was conducted on 163 Russian children with morbid obesity.
  • Analysis focused on identifying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in relevant genes.
  • Clinical significance of identified variants was assessed.

Main Results:

  • 96 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified across 61 genes.
  • Clinically significant variants were found in 38.79% of the children studied.
  • 42 of the identified variants were novel, not previously reported.

Conclusions:

  • The study identified novel genetic variants contributing to severe obesity in Russian children.
  • Findings support a more personalized approach to diagnosing and treating syndromic and polygenic obesity.
  • This research enhances the understanding of obesity's genetic architecture in the Russian population.

Related Concept Videos

Incomplete Dominance01:43

Incomplete Dominance

Gregor Mendel's work (1822 - 1884) was primarily focused on pea plants. Through his initial experiments, he determined that every gene in a diploid cell has two variants called alleles inherited from each parent. He suggested that amongst these two alleles, one allele is dominant in character and the other recessive. The combination of alleles determines the phenotype of a gene in an organism.
18.9K
Lethal Alleles02:41

Lethal Alleles

Agouti: A Lethal Allele
Lucien Cuénot discovered lethal alleles in 1905 while studying the inheritance of coat color in mice. The agouti gene is responsible for the color of the coat in mice. This gene codes for an agouti-signaling protein, which is responsible for melanin distribution in mammals. The wild-type allele gives rise to gray-brown coat color in mice, while the mutant allele gives rise to yellow coat color. In addition to coat color, the agouti gene is associated with the yellow...
11.3K
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.5K
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution01:25

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
439
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
324
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction01:26

Type II Diabetes I: Introduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, in which target tissues such as the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue respond poorly to insulin. It is also associated with inadequate compensatory insulin secretion, where pancreatic β-cells fail to produce sufficient insulin. Together, these abnormalities lead to persistent hyperglycemia.EtiologyT2DM develops through a complex interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental or...
13