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Genetik und Epigenetik der Adipositas

Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in obesity

  • Leitthema
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Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz Aims and scope

Zusammenfassung

Adipositas ist ein ernst zu nehmendes medizinisches Problem. Rund 60 % der deutschen Erwachsenen sind übergewichtig, ca. 20 % adipös. Der erbliche Anteil an der Varianz des Körpergewichtes ist hoch. Dennoch konnten molekulargenetische Studien bisher nur einen kleinen Teil der interindividuellen Variabilität beim Body-Mass-Index (BMI) erklären. Nur sehr selten finden sich monogene Formen der Adipositas, bei denen der Wegfall eines einzigen Genprodukts zu extremer Adipositas führt. Die Streubreite des Körpergewichtes wird häufig durch ein komplexes Zusammenspiel vieler Genvarianten erklärt (polygene Adipositas). Jede einzelne Variante trägt dabei nur wenig zum Körpergewicht bei. Bisher wurden in groß angelegten Studien an Personen europäischer Herkunft genomweit 32 genetische Varianten (sog. Einzelnukleotidaustausche oder SNPs, single nucleotide polymorphisms) identifiziert, die mit Adipositas assoziiert sind. Insgesamt können diese polygenen Adipositasvarianten aber nur ca. 5 % der Varianz beim BMI erklären. Neben den DNA-Varianten spielen auch epigenetische Mechanismen bei der Gewichtsregulation eine Rolle. Im Laufe des Lebens kann sich die epigenetische Ausstattung eines Menschen verändern. Sie bildet eine Schnittstelle zwischen genetischen und umweltbedingten Einflüssen. Es ist vorstellbar, dass zukünftig epigenetische Marker, neben genetischen Markern, dafür eingesetzt werden können, eine Prädisposition für Adipositas zu erkennen und die Therapie zu verbessern.

Abstract

Obesity is a relevant medical problem. Around 60 % of German adults are overweight, 20 % are obese. The hereditary contribution to the variance of body weight is high. Nevertheless, molecular genetic studies have as yet explained only a small part of the inter-individual variability in the body mass index (BMI). Monogenic forms of obesity, in which loss of a single gene product leads to extreme obesity, are very infrequent. Variance of body weight is commonly explained by a complex interplay of many genetic variants (polygenic obesity). Each variant contributes only a small amount to the body weight. Currently, the largest published analysis of individuals of European origin identified 32 genetic variations (single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) associated with BMI (obesity). Overall, these polygenic obesity variants only explain about 5 % of the variance of the BMI. In addition to the DNA variants epigenetic factors seem to also play a role in body weight regulation. These epigenetic marks can change in the course of life. They might provide an interface between genetic and environmental influences. It is conceivable that in future it will be possible to use epigenetic and genetic markers to detect a predisposition for obesity and to improve prevention and therapy.

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Danksagung

Wir danken den Teilnehmern an den molekulargenetischen Studien. Wir danken dem BMBF (01GS0820), der DFG (HI865/2-1), dem ELAN-Programm, gefördert durch die Else-Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung, dem IFORES-Programm der Universität Duisburg-Essen und dem FoRUM Programm der Universität Bochum für die Unterstützung bei der Erstellung dieser Arbeit.

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  1. Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 174, 45147, Essen, Deutschland

    A. Hinney, N. Herrfurth, L. Schonnop & A.-L. Volckmar

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  1. A. Hinney
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  2. N. Herrfurth
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  3. L. Schonnop
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  4. A.-L. Volckmar
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Correspondence to A. Hinney.

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Prof. Dr. A. Hinney, N. Herrfurth, L. Schonnop und Dr. A. Volckmar geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

Dieser Beitrag beinhaltet keine Studien an Menschen oder Tieren.

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Hinney, A., Herrfurth, N., Schonnop, L. et al. Genetik und Epigenetik der Adipositas. Bundesgesundheitsbl. 58, 154–158 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-014-2094-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-014-2094-1

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