Absence of genetic variation in some obesity candidate genes (GLP1R, ASIP, MC4R, MC5R) among Pima Indians

Abstract

To examine the obesity candidate genes glucagon-like-peptide receptor (GLP1R), agouti signaling protein (ASIP) and the melanocortin receptors 4 and 5 (MC4R and MC5R) for DNA polymorphisms in their coding regions. Unrelated, non-diabetic Pima Indians (8 to 12 from each extreme of body fat). DNA sequencing within the coding regions of each gene. Only one variant was detected, a silent substitution in exon 6 of GLP1R. The exclusion of any common amino-acid polymorphisms (allele frequency > or = 0.20). implies that structural variants of these genes do not contribute to variation in the high level of obesity observed among the Pima Indians.