Neuromedin U pathway in the control of obesity and other hypothalamus-regulated phenotypes

This is a candidate pathway study in European children and adults. Neuromedin U (NMU) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that regulates metabolic phenotypes. Our preliminary analyses in European children suggested that NMU gene plays an important role in adiposity and bone health. This project aims at investigating the associations between hypothalamus-regulated phenotypes and NMU pathway genes, by: (i) investigating in children and confirming in adults possible associations between polymorphisms in NMU pathway genes and adiposity, insulin resistance, blood pressure and bone health; (ii) verifying gene-gene interaction effects; (iii) identifying specific rare loci or regions with aberrant methylation in the genes confirmed for associations. Two populations of children and adults will be used. A two-step approach will be set-up to identify and replicate associations, considering false discovery rate correction. The results will be useful to identify potential target for novel drugs and to recognize subjects at high risk for metabolic and bone diseases.