D(2) DOPAMINE-RECEPTOR GENE AND OBESITY

The prevalence of TaqI A D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) alleles was deter mined in 73 obese women and men. In this sample with a mean body mass index of 35.1, the A1 (minor) allele of the DRD2 gene was present in 4 5.2% of these nonalcohol, nondrug abusing subjects. The DRD2 A1 allele was not associated with a number of cardiovascular risk factors exami ned, including blood lipids (cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein [HD L]- and low-density lipoprotein [LDL]-cholesterol, and triglycerides). However, phenotypic factors characterized by the presence of parental history and postpuberty onset of obesity as well as carbohydrate pref erence were associated with obese subjects carrying the A1 allele. The cumulative number of these three factors was positively and significa ntly (p < .0002) related to A1 allelic prevalence. The data showing an association of the minor allele of the DRD2 gene with phenotypic char acteristics suggest that this gene, located on q22-q23 region of chrom osome 11, confers susceptibility to a subtype of this disorder. (C) 19 94 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.