X chromosomal genetic variants are associated with childhood obesity

Current genetic association studies are usually focused on autosomal variants only, and the sex chromosomes are often neglected. In recent years, a number of statistical techniques and strategies have been widely described making much easier overcoming X-chromosome technical hurdles and including this region within genetic studies. Tenomodulin (TNMD) is a Xq22 chromosome anti angiogenic locus which has been recently linked to different obesity-related phenotypes. These results have not been replicated to date. Given these facts, we have conducted a genetic association analysis in Spanish children population including seven TNMD SNPs as potential candidate markers for obesity and metabolic dysfunctions. Additionally genotypes for another locus located in the X chromosome, the SLC6A14, have been included in the dataset.

A total of 915 DNA samples from 258 normal weight, 177 overweight and 480 obese Spanish children (438 males, 477
females) were genotyped for seven TNMD SNPs and one SLC6A14 SNP. Associations with anthropometric measurements and glucose metabolism were
investigated.EGA study EGAS00001002738