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Integrative Biology

Association between MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism and overeating behaviors

International Journal of Obesity volume 39, pages 114–120 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/objectives:

Melanocortins have a crucial role in appetite and weight regulation. Although the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene has been repeatedly linked to obesity and antipsychotic-induced weight gain, the mechanism behind how it leads to this effect in still undetermined. The goal of this study was to conduct an in-depth and sophisticated analysis of MC4R polymorphisms, body mass index (BMI), eating behavior and depressed mood.

Subjects/methods:

We genotyped 328 individuals of European ancestry on the following MC4R markers based on the relevant literature on obesity and antipsychotic-induced weight gain: rs571312, rs17782313, rs489693, rs11872992, and rs8087522. Height and weight were measured, and information on depressed mood and overeating behaviors was obtained during the in-person assessment.

Results:

BMI was associated with rs17782313 C allele; however, this finding did not survive correction for multiple testing (P=0.018). Although rs17782313 was significantly associated with depressed mood and overeating behaviors, tests of indirect effects indicated that emotional eating and food cravings, rather than depressed mood, uniquely accounted for the effect of this marker and BMI (n=152).

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the link between MC4R rs17782313, mood and overeating behavior, as well as to demonstrate possible mechanisms behind MC4R’s influence on body weight. If replicated in a larger sample, these results may have important clinical implications, including potential for the use of MC4R agonists in the treatment of obesity and disordered eating.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) operating grant awarded to CD (PI), JCC, ASK, JLK and RDL. ZY was funded by a CIHR Doctoral Research Award when the study was performed and is currently supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant T32MH076694 (PI: Cynthia M Bulik). We thank Dr Jo Knight for statistical support and Ms Natalie Freeman for laboratory support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,

    Z Yilmaz

  2. Clinical Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Z Yilmaz, C Davis & A S Kaplan

  3. Kinesiology and Health Sciences, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    C Davis

  4. Eating Disorders Program, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    C Davis

  5. School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    N J Loxton

  6. Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    A S Kaplan, R D Levitan & J L Kennedy

  7. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    A S Kaplan, R D Levitan & J L Kennedy

  8. Mood and Anxiety Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    R D Levitan

  9. Department of Psychology, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

    J C Carter

  10. Neurogenetics Section, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    J L Kennedy

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  1. Z Yilmaz
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C Davis.

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Competing interests

JLK has received honoraria from Eli Lilly and Roche, whereas RDL has received honorarium from Astra-Zeneca. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Yilmaz, Z., Davis, C., Loxton, N. et al. Association between MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism and overeating behaviors. Int J Obes 39, 114–120 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2014.79

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