Scientific publications
Genetic variations of the bitter taste receptor TAS2R38 are associated with obesity and impact on single immune traits
Ortega FJ (1,2), Agüera Z (1,3), Sabater M (1,2), Moreno-Navarrete JM (1,2), Alonso-Ledesma I (1,2), Xifra G (2), Botas P (4), Delgado E (4), Jimenez-Murcia S (1,3), Fernández-García JC (1,5), Tinahones FJ (1,5), Baños RM (1,6), Botella C (1,7), de la Torre R (1,8,9), Frühbeck G (1,10), Rodriguez A (1,10), Estivill X (11), Casanueva F (1,12), Ricart W (1,2), Fernández-Aranda F (1,3), Fernández-Real JM (1,2).
SCOPE
Analyze changes in genetic variations affecting the taste receptor, type 2, member 38 (TAS2R38), identifying the interacting mechanism leading to obesity and potential associations with proteins partaking in innate immunity, such as surfactant protein D (SPD) and mannan-binding lectin (MBL).
METHODS AND RESULTS
We evaluated haplotypes of the bitter-taste receptor TAS2R38 in an identification sample of 210 women in different weight conditions, including anorexia nervosa and obesity. The association with SPD and MBL was tested in an independent sample picturing general population (n = 534).
The relationship with obesity was validated in an extended final sample of 1,319 participants. In the sample comprised of women in extreme weight conditions, increased obesity was identified in AVI/AVI subjects (OR = 2.5 [1.06-6.11], p = 0.035). In the sample picturing general population, increased SPD and MBL concentrations were found in non-smoking AVI-carriers. In this cohort, smoking and obesity blunted associations between TAS2R38 haplotypes and SPD and MBL.
In the extended sample, the association of AVI/AVI haplotypes with increased obesity was also identified (OR = 1.4 [0.99/1.85], p = 0.049), being more robust in subjects aged <40 years (OR = 1.9 [1.06/3.42], p = 0.031).
CONCLUSION
Current data reinforce the impact of TAS2R38 gene on phenotypic and clinical outputs affecting obesity, showing significant associations with extreme weight conditions (i.e. obesity and anorexia nervosa), and changes in both olfactory capacity and immune traits. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
CITATION Mol Nutr Food Res. 2016 Jul;60(7):1673-83. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201500804. Epub 2016 May 27
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