A possible association of Pro12Ala polymorphism in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 gene with obesity in native Javanese in Indonesia

Background Peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) is a nuclear hormone receptor that serves as a master regulator of adipocytes-specific genes contributing to adipocytes differentiation, susceptibility to obesity, and insulin sensitivity. The substitution of proline to alanine at codon 12 of the PPAR gamma 2 gene (Pro12Ala polymorphism) is most frequently identified and the associations with diabetes, obesity, and other clinical parameters have been reported and discussed in several ethnic groups. Among native Javanese ethnicity, however, there is no report about this polymorphism. Aims and methods Aims of this study were to estimate the allele frequency of the Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPAR gamma 2 gene among native Javanese in Indonesia and to investigate the relationship between this polymorphism and obesity or diabetes. This study included 540 native Javanese subjects consisting of 337 diabetic patients and 203 normal glucose tolerance subjects. Both groups included totally 160 obese subjects (body mass index >= 25 kg/m(2)). PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for the genotype determination. Results The allele frequency of Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPAR gamma 2 gene among native Javanese is lower than that in other ethnic groups. No association is seen between the Pro12Ala and diabetes (0.01 vs 0.017%, p = 0.404), a trend of the higher BMI was observed in Pro12Ala carriers in nondiabetic subjects, although this association is limited by small numbers. Conclusion In this study, no association is seen between the Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPAR gamma 2 gene and diabetes; a weak association with obesity is seen. Copyright (C) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.