RGS6 variants are associated with dietary fat intake in Hispanics: the IRAS Family Study

Obesity (Silver Spring). 2011 Jul;19(7):1433-8. doi: 10.1038/oby.2010.333. Epub 2011 Jan 13.

Abstract

Recently, a genome-wide association scan was completed in the IRAS (Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study) Family Study (IRASFS) Hispanic-American cohort. Multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the G-protein signaling 6 (RGS6) gene were found to be associated with adiposity phenotypes. RGS6 has shown downstream antagonistic interplay with opioid receptors, targets of fatty/sugary food agonists. The possibility that RGS6 promotes tolerance and tachyphylaxis among the opioid receptor is a plausible pathway for overconsuming fat/sugar-laden food. Therefore, we hypothesized that RGS6 variants are associated with intake of fatty/sugary foods. In 932 Hispanics from San Antonio and San Luis Valley, CO, the following dietary intake variables were assessed using the Block Brief 2000 food frequency questionnaire: total calories, total fat, % calories from fat, % calories from saturated fat, protein, % calories from protein, carbohydrates, % calories from carbohydrates, and daily frequency of servings of fats/oils/sweets. We tested for association between 23 SNPs in RGS6 and dietary intake using a variance components measured genotype approach. All models were adjusted for gender, recruitment site, admixture, BMI, and age. Using an additive genetic model, rs1402064 was associated with higher intake of fats/oils/sweets, total calories, total fat and saturated fat (P = 0.0007, 0.026, 0.023, and 0.024). SNPs rs847330 and rs847354 were associated with higher intake of fats/oils/sweets (P = 0.002 and 0.018), total fat (P = 0.040 and 0.048) and saturated fat (P = 0.044 and 0.041). Finally, rs769148 was associated with higher intake of fats/oils/sweets (P = 0.002). RGS6 is a new candidate gene for adiposity traits that may be associated with a behavioral tendency toward fat-laden food intake.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity
  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cohort Studies
  • Colorado
  • Diet / ethnology
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Sucrose / administration & dosage*
  • Family Health
  • Female
  • Food Preferences / ethnology*
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Hispanic or Latino / genetics*
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology
  • Humans
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / genetics
  • RGS Proteins / genetics*
  • Texas

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Sucrose
  • RGS Proteins
  • RGS6 protein, human