UCP2 A55V variant is associated with obesity and related phenotypes in an aboriginal community in Taiwan

[[abstract]]Objective: Human uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 (UCP2 and UCP3) are two mitochondrial proteins that are involved in the control of metabolism of fatty acid and possibly protect against oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to analyze genetic associations of four polymorphisms of the UCP2 and UCP3 genes with insulin, leptin concentration and obesity in Taiwan aborigines. Research methods: Four polymorphisms were compared in 324 obese (body mass index (BMI) >= 30 kg/m(2)) and overweight (30>MI >= 25 kg/m(2)) subjects, and 114 normal weight subjects (BMI = 25 kg/m(2)) (OR 2.62, P < 0.001). Discussions: UCP2 A55V variant might predispose to obesity and Val55 allele to confer population-attributable risk for 9.5% of obese disorders and increase insulin concentrations. The V-A-T haplotype within UCP2-UCP3 gene cluster is also significantly associated with obesity in Paiwan aborigines