Discovery of gene that influences dietary habits

A recent study published in PloS earlier this month shows that genetic variation in the TUB gene is associated with body composition and macronutrient intake. This suggests that this gene is involved in the regulation of eating behaviour.The findings of this research project are the result of a productive co-operation between the Julius Center of UMC Utrecht and the Department of Molecular Genetics of Maastricht University. The project was headed up by Dr Yvonne van der Schouw and the analyses were carried out by Jana van Vliet-Ostaptchouk as part of her PhD research project.In this study three variants in the TUB gene were genotyped in 1,680 middle-aged women, all part of the Prospect-EPIC cohort study (PI: Prof. Petra Peeters). Two of the variants in this gene were associated with increased weight and BMI, increased intake of carbohydrates, and a higher glycemic load in the diet.Click here to see the complete paper