Marker for Underweight Found Using Gene Bank Data
Genetic data from Estonians has proved instrumental in the discovery of a fragment of DNA that can lead to obesity or low weight.
Scientists from the University and Tartu and Switzerland made the discovery in an area of the 16th chromosome known as 16p11.2.
Chromosomes usually come in two copies, one from each parent. The international team working at the University of Lausanne found that those who have three copies of a certain segment have a lower body mass index and a higher risk of being underweight. The study was published in the latest issue of the journal Nature.
The same team found an analogous obesity marker a year ago.
A member of the Lausanne team, molecular biotechnology researcher Katrin Männik, noted that both extremes pose a serious risk to the health and said: "Although obesity has been linked to a number of generic combinations, the genetic reasons for low weight are little known. This study is important due to the unique find that the same chromosomal region affects increased and decreased body weight based on how many copies a person has."
The donors to the Estonian gene bank at the University of Tartu played an important role. The bank contains DNA and survey data from over 50,000 Estonians.
Kristopher Rikken