MICROSATELLITE MARKER CONTENT MAPPING OF 12 CANDIDATE GENES FOR OBESITY - ASSEMBLY OF 7 OBESITY SCREENING PANELS FOR AUTOMATED GENOTYPING

Twin studies, adoption studies, and studies of familial aggregation in dicate that obesity has a genetic component. Whereas, the genetic Fact ors predisposing to obesity have been elucidated for several rare synd romes, the factors responsible for obesity in the general population h ave remained elusive. Genetic studies of complex traits are often acce lerated by the use of candidate genes. To facilitate genetic studies o f human obesity, seven multiplex panels of candidate genes for obesity that are suitable for Fluorescent genotyping have been assembled. The multiplex panels are composed of 66 microsatellite markers linked tig htly to 16 human gene products that are of potential importance in the control of body weight or linked to syndromic Forms of obesity. As pa rt of these efforts 12 previously cloned genes have been placed on the human physical map. In addition the chromosomal location of three of these genes, ART, NYP Y6R, and PPAR gamma, are reported for the first time. These resources will be of use in studies to identify the geneti c factors responsible for human obesity.