The expression of genes in top obesity-associated loci is enriched in insula and substantia nigra brain regions involved in addiction and reward.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified more than 250 loci associated with body mass index (BMI) and obesity. However, post-GWAS functional genomic investigations have been inadequate for understanding how these genetic loci physiologically impact disease development.

Methods

We performed a PCR-free expression assay targeting genes located nearby the GWAS-identified SNPs associated with BMI/obesity in a large panel of human tissues. Furthermore, we analyzed several genetic risk scores (GRS) summing GWAS-identified alleles associated with increased BMI in 4236 individuals.

Results

We found that the expression of BMI/obesity susceptibility genes was strongly enriched in the brain, especially in the insula (p = 4.7 × 10^-9) and substan

SUBMITTER: Ndiaye FK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7002163 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature