The Melanocortin 4 Receptor gene (MC4R) is associated with the synthesis of MC4R enzyme, a G protein coupled receptor which is found to bind to alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone. Among humans, this gene is shown to be associated with obesity.
There are two SNPs that are used in our panel, rs17782313 and rs12970134
Association with Obesity:
In a study conducted on a North Indian population, people with the C variant (rs17782313) of the gene were associated with elevated obesity risk. In another similar study, the number of people with the C variant was found to be significantly higher among obese people than among others. In the same study, people with the A variant (rs12970134) were shown to have a strong association with obesity.
Association with Physical Activity:
In a study conducted to assess physical activity, people with the C variant of the gene were found to carry out 3.5% less MET/per week when compared to people with other variants of the gene.
Association with Cardiovascular Health:
In a study, people with the C variant of the gene were shown to be associated with increased risk for nocturnal hypertension. In a similar study, people with the C variant of the gene, who had hypertension and were smokers, were shown to be associated with a higher risk for large artery stroke.
Does your 23andme, Ancestry DNA, FTDNA raw data have MC4R gene variant information?
| CHIP Version | MC4R SNPs |
| 23andMe (Use your 23andme raw data to know your MC4R Variant) | |
| v1 23andme | Present |
| v2 23andme | Present |
| v3 23andme | Present |
| v4 23andme | Present |
| V5 23andme (current chip) | Present |
| AncestryDNA (Use your ancestry DNA raw data to know your MC4R Variant) | |
| v1 ancestry DNA | Present |
| V2 ancestry DNA (current chip) | Present |
| Family Tree DNA (Use your FTDNA raw data to know your MC4R Variant) | |
| OmniExpress microarray chip | Present |
Association with Tendency to Overeat (Fatty Food Preference):
In a study conducted to determine the reward value of food, people with the C variant of the gene were shown to be associated with increased energy intake.
Association with Age and Gender:
In a study conducted to analyze the effect of MC4R gene variant on age and gender, women with the C variant of the gene were shown to be associated with a greater risk of obesity than men. People within 20-40 years were shown to be associated with obesity-related effects of the gene and there was a lower influence of the gene as age advanced.
| Genotype rs17782313 | Phenotype | Genotype |
| CC | [Limitation] More likely to have increased risk for obesity. [Limitation] Less likely to perform physical activity [Limitation] More Likely to have higher nocturnal blood pressure and increased risk for cardiovascular disease [Limitation] More Likely to have increased energy intake and fatty food preference | Practice mindful eating and consciously avoid increased consumption of high fatty food Associated with lower physical activity, so should consciously balance food intake with appropriate exercises. Women show a greater tendency to gain weight than men with this variant. Avoid smoking as it increases risk for stroke |
| CT | Moderate risk for obesity | Practice mindful eating and consciously avoid increased consumption of high fatty food Associated with lower physical activity, so should consciously balance food intake with appropriate exercises. Women show a greater tendency to gain weight than men with this variant. Avoid smoking as it increases risk for stroke |
| TT | [Advantage] Less likely to have increased risk for obesity. [Advantage] More likely to perform physical activity [Advantage] Less Likely to have higher blood pressure and increased risk for cardiovascular disease [Advantage] Less Likely to have increased energy intake and fatty food preference | Ensure a healthy balance between food intake and exercises. |
| Genotype rs12970134 | Phenotype | Recommendation |
| AA | [Limitation] More likely to have increased risk for obesity. | Practice mindful eating and consciously avoid increased consumption of high fatty food |
| AG | Moderate risk for obesity | Practice mindful eating and consciously avoid increased consumption of high fatty food |
| GG | [Advantage] Less likely to have increased risk for obesity. | Ensure a healthy balance between food intake and exercises. |
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26226973
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26495240
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27213003
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4816968/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27701175
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27730429
Related Links:
- https://www.xcode.life/dna-and-fitness/do-you-have-the-obese-gene
- https://www.xcode.life/dna-and-nutrition/how-much-of-body-weight-is-determined-by-genetics
- https://www.xcode.life/dna-and-health/what-regulates-energy-intake-and-why-does-it-differ-from-person-to-person
“Nutrigenetics, fitness genetics, health genetics are all nascent but rapidly growing areas within human genetics. The information provided herein is based on preliminary scientific studies and it is to be read and understood in that context.”
