B3340 - Integration of body fat and lean mass loci reveals genetic clusters with distinct cardiometabolic effects - 08/07/2019

B number: 
B3340
Principal applicant name: 
Laura Wittemans | Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics (UK)
Co-applicants: 
Prof Ruth Loos, Dr Kaitlin Wade, Prof Nicholas Timpson
Title of project: 
Integration of body fat and lean mass loci reveals genetic clusters with distinct cardiometabolic effects
Proposal summary: 

Through a large international collaboration, we identified more than a thousand genetic factors that are associated with how much of a person’s weight is fat mass and how much is lean mass. We subdivided these genetic factors into six groups based on how they affect multiple aspects of body size, composition and shape (e.g., body mass index, height, waist-to-hip circumference). These six clusters of genetic factors each have distinct effects on obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In addition, we found that the clusters also had differential effects on body size at birth and in childhood. We would like to use the data from the ALSPAC study to investigate if these six groups of genetic factors affect trajectories of body size and composition throughout the development of a child, from birth until early adulthood.

Impact of research: 
We believe that our study will show that not all body composition genes/loci act the same way; some affect body size/composition early in life, others have a later onset, which in turn may have different effects on obesity-related comorbidities. By using more refined approaches, we aim to gain greater insights in the biology that underlies body size, shape and composition, which eventually may lead to new targets for prevention and treatment.
Date proposal received: 
Tuesday, 2 July, 2019
Date proposal approved: 
Monday, 8 July, 2019
Keywords: 
Genetics, Obesity, Statistical methods, Growth