B1150 - Genome-wide meta-analyses of leptin and leptin to adiponectin ratio - 14/04/2011

B number: 
B1150
Principal applicant name: 
Dr Claudia Langenberg (MRC Epidemiology Unit, Addenbrooks Hospital, Cambridge, UK)
Co-applicants: 
Dr Ruth Loos (Not used 0, Not used 0), Dr Robert Scott (Not used 0, Not used 0), Dr Tuomas Kilpelainen (Not used 0, Not used 0), Nick Timpson (Not used 0, Not used 0)
Title of project: 
Genome-wide meta-analyses of leptin and leptin to adiponectin ratio
Proposal summary: 

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone of which the circulating levels correlate closely with body fat. Leptin acts as a chronic signal to 'inform' the brain about the stored body fat and is involved in the regulation of long-term energy homeostasis. GWAS of leptin may discover new loci predisposing to obesity and related traits.

Previous attempts to identify genetic signals for insulin resistance have had limited success and the majority of type 2 diabetes-associated loci established to date are associated with beta-cell function. Leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (LAR) has recently emerged as a useful measure of insulin resistance. A GWAS of LAR may discover new loci associated with insulin resistance, in particular those which have links to adipocyte function.

Inclusion of ALSPAC data will improve our power to detect loci associated with leptin and LAR. For both of the above traits, if novel associations are identified, inclusion of ALSPAC data will also allow us to investigate the effects of these SNPS on the trait in children to establish of they operate in the same manner.

Date proposal received: 
Thursday, 14 April, 2011
Date proposal approved: 
Thursday, 14 April, 2011
Keywords: 
Endocrine, Genetics, Weight
Primary keyword: