Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Mark Dobson, Dr Chris RedfernORCiD, Professor Nigel Unwin, Dr Jolanta Weaver
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
Considerable evidence suggests that diabetes mellitus and hypertension are influenced by genetic factors. Studies in humans have associated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) polymorphisms with high blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, body mass index, increased visceral fat, and variations in tissue-specific steroid sensitivity. The N363S polymorphism of the GR results in an asparagine to serine amino acid substitution in a modulatory region of the receptor. Phosphorylation of serine residues in this region has been shown to enhance transactivation of GR responsive genes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the 363S allele and risk factors for coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus in a population of European origin living in the northeast of the United Kingdom. Blood samples from 135 males and 240 females were characterized for 363 allele status. The overall frequency of the 363S allele was 3.0%, 23 heterozygotes (7 males and 16 females) but no 363S homozygotes were identified. The data show a significant association of the 363S allele with increased waist to hip ratio in males but not females. This allele was not associated with blood pressure, body mass index, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and glucose tolerance status. The results of this study suggest that this GR polymorphism may contribute to central obesity in men. Further studies are required to elucidate the properties of GR363S at a molecular level.
Author(s): Dobson, M.G., Redfern, C.P.F., Unwin, N.C., Weaver, J.U.
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Year: 2001
Volume: 86
Issue: 5
Pages: 2270-2274
Print publication date: 01/01/2001
ISSN (print): 0021-972X
ISSN (electronic): 1945-7197
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.86.5.2270
DOI: 10.1210/jc.86.5.2270
PubMed id: 11344238
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric
