[HTML][HTML] Loss-of-function mutations in SIM1 contribute to obesity and Prader-Willi–like features
A Bonnefond, A Raimondo… - The Journal of …, 2013 - Am Soc Clin Investig
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2013•Am Soc Clin Investig
Sim1 haploinsufficiency in mice induces hyperphagic obesity and developmental
abnormalities of the brain. In humans, abnormalities in chromosome 6q16, a region that
includes SIM1, were reported in obese children with a Prader-Willi–like syndrome; however,
SIM1 involvement in obesity has never been conclusively demonstrated. Here, SIM1 was
sequenced in 44 children with Prader-Willi–like syndrome features, 198 children with severe
early-onset obesity, 568 morbidly obese adults, and 383 controls. We identified 4 rare …
abnormalities of the brain. In humans, abnormalities in chromosome 6q16, a region that
includes SIM1, were reported in obese children with a Prader-Willi–like syndrome; however,
SIM1 involvement in obesity has never been conclusively demonstrated. Here, SIM1 was
sequenced in 44 children with Prader-Willi–like syndrome features, 198 children with severe
early-onset obesity, 568 morbidly obese adults, and 383 controls. We identified 4 rare …
Sim1 haploinsufficiency in mice induces hyperphagic obesity and developmental abnormalities of the brain. In humans, abnormalities in chromosome 6q16, a region that includes SIM1, were reported in obese children with a Prader-Willi–like syndrome; however, SIM1 involvement in obesity has never been conclusively demonstrated. Here, SIM1 was sequenced in 44 children with Prader-Willi–like syndrome features, 198 children with severe early-onset obesity, 568 morbidly obese adults, and 383 controls. We identified 4 rare variants (p.I128T, p.Q152E, p.R581G, and p.T714A) in 4 children with Prader-Willi–like syndrome features (including severe obesity) and 4 other rare variants (p.T46R, p.E62K, p.H323Y, and p.D740H) in 7 morbidly obese adults. By assessing the carriers’ relatives, we found a significant contribution of SIM1 rare variants to intra-family risk for obesity. We then assessed functional effects of the 8 substitutions on SIM1 transcriptional activities in stable cell lines using luciferase gene reporter assays. Three mutations showed strong loss-of-function effects (p.T46R, p.H323Y, and p.T714A) and were associated with high intra-family risk for obesity, while the variants with mild or no effects on SIM1 activity were not associated with obesity within families. Our genetic and functional studies demonstrate a firm link between SIM1 loss of function and severe obesity associated with, or independent of, Prader-Willi–like features.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation