[The association of rs993609 polymorphisms of gene FTO and rs659366 polymorphisms of gene UCP2 with obesity among Arctic Russian population]

Abstract

It is known that particular qualities of the prevalence of obesity, characteristic for the population of the Far North, are connected with the presence of genetic polymorphisms. The association of two polymorphisms (rs993609 of FTO gene and rs659366 of UCP2 gene) with obesity was studied in 175 people living on the territory of the Russian Arctic (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District). The incidence of obesity risk allele (A) of FTO gene rs9939609 polymorphism in the surveyed population of the Arctic (30.8%) was lower by 15% than that of the population of the central regions of Russia, Caucasian Americans and Europeans, but was higher by 18-20% than in Alaska inhabitants. The frequency of the A allele of the FTO gene was significantly 1.4-fold lower in indigenous Arctic people than in the alien population (p<0.05), that had significantly higher content of body fat (by 12%) than the indigenous population, including the Nenets (p<0.05). Рositive association had been identified between T allele rs659366 polymorphism of UCP2 gene and obesity risk in the surveyed who lived in the Arctic zone. Thus, the inhabitants of the Far North revealed the presence of genetic variants that contribute to heat production.

Keywords: Arctic population; obesity; rs659366 polymorphism of UCP2 gene; rs993609 polymorphism of FTO gene.