Abstract for presentation at 11th International Congress of Human Genetics

Gene expression analyses of liver, and omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue, from morbidly obese subjects

  • Dr Donia Macartney, Institute of Environmental Science and Research, New Zealand
  • Dr G Miller, Wakefield GE Research Institute, New Zealand
  • Dr C Ford, Wakefield GE Research Institute, New Zealand
  • Dr A Croft, Wakefield GE Research Institute, New Zealand
  • Dr Rod Lea, Institute of Environmental Science and Research, New Zealand
  • Mr Richard Stubbs, Wakefield GE Research Institute, New Zealand

    • Obesity and type II diabetes are recognised as major and steadily increasing health problems. They are complex disorders influenced by interacting genetic and environmental components. To increase our understanding of the genetic influences we investigated gene expression patterns in liver, subcutaneous (SC) and omental (Om) adipose tissues from morbidly obese subjects and tested for correlations with clinical and anthropometric parameters.
    RNA was isolated from fresh snap frozen material obtained from morbidly obese patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery. RNA expression levels were analysed using real-time PCR and bivariate correlation analysis performed. Thirteen genes including acetyl-CoA carboxylases 1 and 2 (ACC1 & 2), glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferases 1 and 2 (GFAT1 & 2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator A (PGC-1a), 11beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, X-box protein 1, heat- shock 70kDa protein 5 (HSPA5), fatty acid translocase (CD36), were analysed in all three tissues with adiponectin and leptin expression analysed in adipose tissue alone.
    Statistical analyses revealed a number of anticipated associations such as correlations between Om leptin and fasting insulin and HOMA, and between SC adiponectin and SC leptin expression. In addition, SC adiponectin expression correlated with SC PGC-1a and GFAT1 and SC and Om CD36. Other interesting observations include correlations between liver HSPA5 and percent excess weight at three and six months after operation, and SC and Om ACC1 and type two diabetic status.
    In summary, our initial analyses of gene expression in “paired” liver, SC and Om human tissue with clinical and anthropometric parameters revealed both anticipated and novel correlations. Future work in this area will increase our understanding of obesity and type II diabetes and the complex genetic interplay involved in these disorders.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd