Genes that may predict complications from obesity differ between the sexes NatureGenet
might lead to different patterns of fat distribution and obesity-related disease risk for women.
"We think about obesity as a primary disease or the source of morbidity, but what obesity actually does is that it favors the appearance of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases like diabetes, heart attacks, and hypertension," said Marcelo Nobrega, MD, Ph.D., Professor of Human Genetics at UChicago and senior author of the study.
In the new research, Nobrega's team conducted several transcriptome-wide association studies that compared the genomes of hundreds of individuals to identify genes that are linked with obesity and a higher waist-to-hip ratio. The ratio is what is called a sexually dimorphic trait, meaning that it appears differently in males and females. Men and women naturally have different ratios, and the silhouette of an average man's body is different from that of a woman.
Interestingly, most of these variants are in a class of DNA elements called Alu repeats or retrotransposons, which are remnants of ancient viral infections that were integrated into the human genome and maintain hundreds of thousands of copies today, making up almost half of the noncoding human genome.
"We once assumed that most of these were archaeological sites of battles that happened in the past between our genome and that of viruses. But then over the years, people started to realize that a lot of these DNA sequences that came from viruses have actually become functional in theThese so-called"jumping genes" may have wired fat distribution patterns in humans, with implications for metabolic health in women.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
GMB host in heated row with fitness coach during obesity debateThey were discussing a weight loss jab
Read more »
Scientists 'treat' autism symptoms for first time thanks to cheap epilepsy drugSCIENTISTS have said that a cheap epilepsy drug could help ‘treat’ autism-like symptoms. Medics have hailed the findings a “breakthrough” for those with autism. The £2.50 ep…
Read more »
New 'magic' pill could help 'cure' agonising hangovers, scientists discoverEVER wake up from a heavy night feeling sick, riddled with hangxiety and ultimately regretting that last round of drinks? Well, there’s a pill which could fix that. A new study has found peop…
Read more »
Scientists Use Nano Carbons To Convert Methane Into Hydrogen | OilPrice.comUniversity of Surrey scientists found a cheaper and cleaner way to produce hydrogen fuel using nitrogen-doped nano carbons to convert methane into hydrogen. Huge step forward for clean energy! 🔆
Read more »
Scientists call for terms 'male' and 'female' to be phased out amid crackdown on 'harmful language'A group of researchers has suggested that terms such as “female” and “male” should be replaced in science as they reinforce the notion that sex is binary.
Read more »