Recent Advances in Human Genetics and Epigenetics of Adiposity: Pathway to Precision Medicine?

ABSTRACT: Obesity is a heritable trait that contributes to substantial global morbidity and mortality. Here, we summarize findings from the past decade of genetic and epigenetic research focused on unravelling the underpinnings of adiposity. More than 140 genetic regions now are known to influence adiposity traits. The genetics of general adiposity, as measured by body mass index, and that of abdominal obesity, as measured by waist-to-hip ratio, have distinct biological backgrounds. Gene expression associated with general adiposity is enriched in the nervous system. In contrast, genes associated with abdominal adiposity function in adipose tissue. Recent population-based epigenetic analyses have highlighted additional distinct loci. We discuss how associated genetic variants can lead to understandin

SUBMITTER: Fall T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5576453 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature