IRX3 is a genetic modifier for birth weight, adolescent obesity and transaminase metabolism.
OBJECTIVE
IRX3 expression has been functionally associated in obesity-associated long-distance susceptibility loci, but the effect of the IRX3 genetic variants on human obesity and obesity-related metabolism remains uncertain.


METHODS
To determine the genetic role of IRX3, we conducted a molecular epidemiological analysis using three haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs8053360, rs3751723 and rs12445085) and one nonsynonymous SNP (rs1126960) at the IRX3 locus in 333 junior and senior high school students from a northeast Chinese population.


RESULTS
We identified significant associations between IRX3 SNPs and birth weight, body mass index (BMI), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and AST/ALT ratio. The rs8053360 CC and rs1126960 GG genotypes were associated with increased birth weight and BMI, especially in females. Individuals with the rs12445085 TT genotype had significantly higher levels of AST and ALT, whereas individuals with the rs1126960 GG genotype had a significantly lower AST/ALT ratio than did individuals with other genotypes. However, no significant relationships were found between any of the IRX3 SNPs and metabolic syndrome or diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
IRX3 genetic variants associate with birth weight, BMI and AST/ALT-related transaminase metabolism, supporting the role of IRX3 as an obesity-associated susceptibility gene.
['Liu|C|C|', 'Chu|C|C|', 'Zhang|J|J|', 'Wu|D|D|', 'Xu|D|D|', 'Li|P|P|', 'Chen|Y|Y|', 'Liu|B|B|', 'Pei|L|L|', 'Zhang|L|L|', 'Liu|S|S|', 'Qi|T|T|', 'Lou|X-Y|XY|', 'Li|L|L|']
D000293:Adolescent D000410:Alanine Transaminase D044466:Asians D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases D001724:Birth Weight D015992:Body Mass Index D002648:Child D003920:Diabetes Mellitus D005260:Female D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease D005838:Genotype D018398:Homeodomain Proteins D006801:Humans D008297:Male D024821:Metabolic Syndrome D063766:Pediatric Obesity D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide D014157:Transcription Factors
IRX3 Birth weight obesity transaminase metabolism polymorphism