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Genetic variation in the stress protein hsp70-2 gene is highly associated with obesity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression is increased in adipose tissue of both rodent models of obesity and obese humans. It has therefore been considered as a candidate gene for obesity. Several studies have indeed shown statistical evidence of linkage between obesity and the chromosomal region encompassing the TNF-α gene, suggesting that TNF-α and/or a nearby gene (eg hsp70 gene) is involved in the onset and progression of weight gain. We designed a case-controlled study to investigate the potential association of polymorphism of the TNF-α and that of a stress protein (hsp70-2) with obesity.

METHODS: We used the polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion to characterize the variation of the TNF-α promoter region and that of the hsp70-2 gene in 343 unrelated Tunisian patients with obesity and 174 healthy control subjects.

RESULTS: Analysis of the -308 TNF-α polymorphism in patients with obesity and in control subjects did not reveal an association between TNF-α alleles and obesity.

In contrast, polymorphism analysis of the hsp70-2 gene in patients with obesity demonstrated highly significant differences in genotypic distribution of this bi-allelic locus compared to the control subject group. Homozygosity for one hsp70-2 allele was highly associated with obesity (r2=7.12; P<10−6).

CONCLUSION: Tunisian persons carrying the P2/P2 genotype of the hsp70-2 gene may have an increased risk of obesity.

International Journal of Obesity (2001) 25, 462–466

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, the University of Paris VII, the French Ministry for National Education and Research, The Institut de Recherches Internationales SERVIER (IRIS), le Sécretariat d'Etat pour la Recherche Scientifique et de Technologie and the Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur de la République Tunisienne.

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Chouchane, L., Danguir, J., Beji, C. et al. Genetic variation in the stress protein hsp70-2 gene is highly associated with obesity. Int J Obes 25, 462–466 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801545

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