Genome wide analysis reveals association of a FTO gene variant with epigenetic changes of several genes in human blood

ABSTRACT: FTO gene variants show the strongest association to obesity so far, but the role of the gene in obesity remains unclear. The FTO protein is a demethylation enzyme, which suggests that the link to obesity could be mediated through epigenetic changes. Herein, we determine the genome wide DNA methylation profile in blood from 47 female preadolescents and detect changes in five methylated regions, corresponding to six genes, associated with the FTO risk allele (rs9939609). In addition, we identify 20 differentially methylated regions associated with obesity. Our findings indicate that the effect of the FTO obesity risk allele may be mediated through epigenetic changes. Further, the identified regions might prove valuable biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of obesity and comorbidites, s

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: Markus Sällman Almén 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-27860 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress