Exome Sequencing of 21 Bardet‐Biedl Syndrome (BBS) Genes to Identify Obesity Variants in 6,851 American Indians

Abstract

Objective

In an ongoing effort to identify the genetic variation that contributes to obesity in American Indians, known Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS) genes were analyzed for an effect on BMI and leptin signaling.

Methods

Potentially deleterious variants (Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion score > 20) in BBS genes were identified in whole‐exome sequence data from 6,851 American Indians informative for BMI. Common variants (detected in ≥ 10 individuals) were analyzed for association with BMI; rare variants (detected in < 10 individuals) were analyzed for mean BMI of carriers. Functional assessment of variants’ effect on signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activity was performed in vitro.

Results

One common variant, rs59252892 (Thr549Ile) in BBS9, was associated with BMI ( P = 0.0008, β = 25% increase per risk allele). Among rare variants for which carriers had severe obesity (mean BMI > 40 kg/m ²), four were in BBS9. In vitro analysis of BBS9 found the Ile allele at Thr549Ile had a 20% increase in STAT3 activity compared with the Thr allele ( P = 0.01). Western blot analysis showed the Ile allele had a 15% increase in STAT3 phosphorylation ( P = 0.006). Comparable functional results were observed with Ser545Gly and Val209Leu but not Leu665Phe and Lys810Glu.

Conclusions

Potentially functional variants in BBS genes in American Indians are reported. However, functional evidence supporting a causal role for BBS9 in obesity is inconclusive.