Variants associated with metabolite levels
Nature Genetics
December 28, 2009
Genetic variants associated with metabolite concentrations in human blood serum are reported in this week’s issue of Nature Genetics.
Concentrations of metabolites, such as biologically relevant amino acids, sugars, and lipids, in blood serum provide specific measurements that reflect biological activity in the body, and often provide clinically useful information. Such metabolic profiles can provide a physiological snapshot of the cells or tissues being analyzed.
Karsten Suhre and colleagues determined the serum concentrations of 163 metabolites in over 2000 individuals. They then scanned the genomes of these individuals and identified nine genetic locations that are each associated with different metabolic measurements. For eight out of the nine regions, the genetic variant is located within or close to genes whose functions are correlated with the production of the associated metabolite.
These results provide insights into the common genetic variants that regulate human metabolism.
doi: 10.1038/ng.507
Research highlights
-
Jun 23
Policy: An actionable anti-racism plan for geoscience organizationsNature Communications
-
Jun 22
Medical research: Investigational drugs for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease do not significantly affect cognitive declineNature Medicine
-
Jun 18
Paleontology: New species of giant rhino discovered from 26.5-million-year-old fossilsCommunications Biology
-
Jun 15
Medical research: Safety and immune response of vaccine against Alzheimer’s disease demonstratedNature Aging
-
Jun 11
Health: Hand-held device could reduce fatigue through electrical stimulationCommunications Biology
-
Jun 10
Immunology: COVID-19 vaccination helps protect unvaccinated peopleNature Medicine
