Genome-wide discovery of genetic loci that uncouple excess adiposity from its comorbidities

Abstract

In brief: In this genome-wide association study, the authors were able to disentangle the mechanism that uncouples adiposity from its known cardiometabolic complications. They identified 62 genomic loci, at which the same allele is associated with both higher adiposity and lower cardiometabolic risk. Functional analyses implicated several underlying mechanisms. These 62 loci clustered into three functional groups: favourable fat distribution, favourable lipid levels, and lower fasting glucose and lower risk for T2DM.