Gene sources of human metabolic rates found

William Atkins
Saturday, 29 November 2008 19:44

Science - Biology

The researchers stated, "We identified four genetic variants in genes coding for enzymes (FADS1, LIPC, SCAD, MCAD) where the corresponding metabolic phenotype (metabotype) clearly matches the biochemical pathways in which these enzymes are active.”

Such genes help to control how quickly or slowly human bodies break down food into basic substances that are spread throughout the body to build new cells, provide energy, and, ultimately, keep all of us alive.

According to the MSNBC article “Scientists find four genes that drive metabolism,” Dr. Suhre stated, "These genes appear to be involved or play a key role in metabolism.”

Suhre and fellow colleagues wrote the paper “Genetics Meets Metabolomics: A Genome-Wide Association Study of Metabolite Profiles in Human Serum” that describes their conclusons. The paper is published in the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) Genetics.

According to the PLoS Genetics website that describes their paper, the authors report that their study is, “… to the best of our knowledge, the first genome-wide association (GWA) study with metabolic traits as phenotypic traits.”

They add, “By simultaneous measurements of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and serum concentrations of endogenous organic compounds in a human population, we identify genetically determined variants in metabolic phenotype (metabotype) that exhibit large effect sizes.”

"Four of these polymorphisms are located in genes coding for well-characterized enzymes of the lipid metabolism.”

The researchers state that they found “… that individuals with different genotypes in these genes have significantly different metabolic capacities with respect to the synthesis of some polyunsaturated fatty acids, the beta-oxidation of short- and medium-chain fatty acids, and the breakdown of triglycerides.”

They conclude, “… findings could result in a step towards personalized health care and nutrition based on a combination of genotyping and metabolic characterization.”