Conducting the metabolic syndrome orchestra

Abstract

Genetic and gene expression studies have suggested an important role for KLF14 in metabolic disease. A new study now identifies a network of genes whose expression is associated with KLF14 variation in trans, providing a framework for understanding how KLF14 influences disease risk.

Figure 1

Identification of a KLF14-associated trans regulatory network. (a) Models depicting cis and trans eQTL effects. (b) Regulatory variants near KLF14 act in cis to influence KLF14 expression in adipose tissue. KLF14, in turn, acts in trans to regulate the expression of a network of genes associated with metabolic traits (shown in parentheses). Underlined traits are those showing genome-wide significant associations with local SNPs at the corresponding trans-regulated genes. Non-underlined traits are those associated with expression of the corresponding trans-regulated genes. BMI, body mass index; GLU, glucose levels; HDL, high density lipoprotein levels; HOMA, index of insulin sensitivity; INS, insulin levels; LDL, low density lipoprotein levels; TG, triglyceride levels; T2D, type 2 diabetes; WHR, waist-hip ratio.