Increase of the trophoblast giant cells with prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) receptor expression in p53-null mice.

Trophoblast giant cells in the mouse placentas are polyploid cells that form as a result of endoreduplication. The giant cells form the outermost layer of the extraembryonic compartment and produce a number of pregnancy-specific hormones, including prolactin family members. Here we demonstrate that trophoblast giant cells are increased, and display upregulation of prolactin releasing peptide (PrRP) receptor in the p53-null (p53(-/-)) embryonic placentas. At day 13.5 of gestation, the weight of p53(-/-) placentas was less than that of both wild-type and p53(+/-) placentas. In p53(-/-) placentas, the spongiotrophoblast layer was significantly decreased in thickness, and the trophoblast giant cells were observed not only in the outer layer of placentas but in both the spongiotrophoblast layer and the labyrinthine layer. The giant cells spread over the spongiotrophoblast and labyrinthine layer in p53(-/-) placentas displayed more intensive expression of immunoreactive PrRP receptor than in wild-type placentas. Previous studies indicated that the association between PrRP and PrRP receptor physiologically involves in the expression and secretion of the peptide hormones, including prolactin and growth hormones. These results suggest that p53 may regulate the differentiation of trophoblast giant cells, and may control the physiological PrRP stimuli in mouse placentas.

Adiponectin plays an important role in efficient energy usage under energy shortage.

Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-specific secretory protein known to be an insulin-sensitizing protein. In this study, we generated adiponectin sense and antisense transgenic (Tg) mice to investigate whether adiponectin plays a role in the regulation of energy homeostasis during the growth stage. Spontaneous motor activity of antisense Tg mice were markedly reduced during fasting, particularly in young female mice, compared with wild type (Wt) and sense Tg mice. Furthermore, both body weight and adipose tissue mass of the antisense female Tg mice drastically reduced during fasting. To examine the relationship between the collapse of abdominal white adipose tissue (WAT) and serum adiponectin level, we measured the expression of genes related to energy expenditure, such as uncoupling protein (UCP). Notably, the mRNA of UCP1 in the WAT of antisense Tg female mice was markedly less than that of Wt mice and the UCP1 mRNA was strongly increased during fasting. These findings suggest that the serum adiponectin is important to maintaining energy homeostasis under energy shortage conditions, such as over female pubertal development.

Association of a C/T single-nucleotide polymorphism in the 5' untranslated region of the CD40 gene with Graves' disease in Japanese.

CONTEXT: Graves' disease (GD) is caused by an interplay of genetic factors and environmental triggers. Recently, a susceptibility locus for GD was mapped to chromosome 20q11 (GD-2). Furthermore, a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the CD40 gene, which is located in 20q11, was found to be associated and linked with GD in Caucasians and in Koreans. OBJECTIVES: To examine a C/T SNP in the 5' untranslated region of the CD40 gene (CD40-E1SNP) for association with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) in a Japanese dataset. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Case-control association studies were performed using the CD40-E1SNP. We studied 485 Japanese patients with AITD (301 with GD, 184 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis [HT]) and 177 matched Japanese control subjects in association studies. MAIN OUTCOME: Frequencies of genotypes and alleles of the CD40- E1SNP. RESULTS: The distribution of genotype frequencies differed significantly between patients with GD and controls in a dominant manner (p = 0.039). The CC+CT genotypes of the CD40-E1SNP were associated with the increased risk for GD (p = 0.015, odds ratio [OR] = 1.9). In contrast, no differences in genotype frequencies were observed between HT patients and controls for the CD40-E1SNP. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the CD40 gene is involved in susceptibility for GD in the Japanese.

A novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific for high-molecular-weight adiponectin.

Human plasma contains at least three forms of adiponectin: a trimer, a hexamer, and a high-molecular-weight (HMW) multimer. We purified HMW adiponectin from human plasma using its affinity to gelatin and obtained monoclonal antibodies against it. On Western blot analysis, the reactivity of these monoclonal antibodies was shown to be restricted to a non-heat-denatured form of adiponectin molecules. On heating, the collagen-like domain of adiponectin molecules became denatured, and thus the trimer form could not be maintained. From these, monoclonal antibodies against HMW adiponectin were suggested to react with the intact trimer of adiponectin. With these monoclonal antibodies, we developed a sandwich ELISA system for quantifying adiponectin in human serum. Its specificity was verified by analysis of serum fractions separated by gel-filtration chromatography, and our ELISA system was found to be HMW adiponectin-specific. With this novel ELISA, the HMW adiponectin concentrations were 8.4 +/- 5.5 microg/ml (mean +/- SD) in healthy women and 6.2 +/- 3.6 microg/ml in healthy men. Also, serum with a lower HMW adiponectin concentration was shown to have a lower HMW ratio (i.e., HMW adiponectin/total adiponectin).

The codon 620 single nucleotide polymorphism of the protein tyrosine phosphatase-22 gene does not contribute to autoimmune thyroid disease susceptibility in the Japanese.

The etiology of the autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), Graves' disease (GD), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is largely unknown. However, genetic susceptibility is believed to play a major role. The lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase (LYP), encoded by the protein tyrosine phosphatase-22 (PTPN22) gene, is a powerful inhibitor of T cell activation. Recently, a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), encoding a functional arginine to tryptophan residue change at PTPN22 codon 620 in Caucasians has been shown to be associated with GD and other autoimmune diseases. We have used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment (XcmI) assay to examine genotypes at the codon 620 polymorphism in 334 unrelated patients with AITD and 179 controls. None of the patients with AITD and controls had the tryptophan allele. These data suggest that the codon 620 polymorphism of the PTPN22 gene does not have a causal role for AITD in the Japanese. However, we cannot exclude the PTPN22 region as harboring another susceptibility locus for AITD in linkage disequilibrium with the Trp/Arg SNP.

Association of a CTLA-4 3' untranslated region (CT60) single nucleotide polymorphism with autoimmune thyroid disease in the Japanese population.

The etiology of the autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis is largely unknown. However, genetic susceptibility is believed to play a major role. The cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) gene, encoding a negative regulator of the T-lymphocyte immune response, had been reported to be associated and/or linked to AITD. Recently, AITD susceptibility in the Caucasians was mapped to the 6.1-kb 3'UTR of the CTLA-4 gene, in which the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), CT60, was most strongly associated with AITD. In order to determine the association of the CTLA-4 gene with AITD in the Japanese, case-control association analysis for the CT60 of the CTLA-4 gene using 264 AITD patients and 179 healthy controls was done. The frequency of the disease-susceptible G allele of the CT60 of the Japanese control was higher than that of the Caucasians (72.6 vs. 52.3%). However, the G allele of the CT60 was associated with GD (84.0 vs. 72.6%, P=0.0008) and AITD (80.1 vs. 72.6%, P=0.009) in the Japanese. Furthermore, the G allele of the CT60 was associated with the increased risk for GD [P=0.004, odds ratio (OR)=2.0] and AITD (P=0.03,OR=1.6) in a recessive model. These results suggested that the CTLA-4 gene is involved in the susceptibility for GD and AITD in the Japanese.

Prospects for whole genome linkage disequilibrium mapping in thoroughbreds.

Linkage disequilibrium (LD) mapping is often used in searches for genes governing economically significant traits and diseases. The D' coefficient is a commonly used measure of the extent of LD between all possible pairs of alleles at two markers. This study aimed to test the utility of the D' coefficient for LD mapping of a trait in a thoroughbred population. Microsatellite genotype data and grey coat colour as a trait model in a thoroughbred population were used to assess the extent of LD. We demonstrated that LD mapping was a reasonable approach for initial genome-wide scans in a thoroughbred population. Significant LD was demonstrated at approximately 7 cM, implying that roughly 430 appropriately spaced microsatellites were needed for systematic whole-genome LD mapping in this model. LD mapping methods using D' in a thoroughbred population were useful for identifying the chromosomal regions for diseases and economic trait loci (ETL). It was suggested that a thoroughbred population represented a population particularly suitable for LD mapping.

Increased serum leptin protects from adiposity despite the increased glucose uptake in white adipose tissue in mice lacking p85alpha phosphoinositide 3-kinase.

Mice lacking the p85alpha regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase (Pik3r1(-/-)) showed increased glucose uptake in white adipose tissue (WAT) and skeletal muscle due to increased phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3] production and on a normal diet had a body weight and fat mass similar to wild-type mice. After 3 months on a high-fat diet, Pik3r1(-/-) mice still had increased insulin sensitivity and better glucose tolerance than wild-type mice, but showed markedly greater increases in body weight and WAT mass than wild-type mice. On the normal diet, serum leptin levels of Pik3r1(-/-) mice were significantly higher than in wild-type mice as a result of increased leptin secretion from adipocytes, presumably due to the increased PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 production in adipocytes. Leptin (5 microg/g body wt per day) caused a reduction in food intake and decrease in body weight by the wild-type mice as well as Pik3r1(-/-) mice, suggesting Pik3r1(-/-) mice having leptin sensitivity similar to wild-type mice. The slightly increased serum leptin compensated for the increased glucose uptake by adipocytes in Pik3r1(-/-) mice, thereby preventing adiposity on the normal diet. On the high-fat diet, leptin (5 microg/g body wt per day) failed to decrease food intake or body weight in either genotype, indicating that both genotypes had indeed become severely leptin resistant. Consequently, leptin secretion was unable to sufficiently compensate for the severe leptin resistance caused by the high-fat diet, thereby failing to prevent obesity in Pik3r1(-/-) mice. Our findings suggest that primary increase in serum leptin on the normal diet play a role in the protection from adiposity in Pik3r1(-/-) mice.

Association of a thyroglobulin gene polymorphism with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in the Japanese population.

OBJECTIVE: The aetiology of the autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis is largely unknown. However, genetic susceptibility is believed to play a major role. Two whole genome scans from Japan and from the USA identified a locus on chromosome 8q24 which showed evidence for linkage with AITD and HT. Recent studies have demonstrated an association between a Tg polymorphisms and AITD, suggesting that Tg is the susceptibility gene on 8q24. PATIENTS: We studied 308 Japanese AITD patients (194 GD and 114 HT patients) and 417 Japanese control subjects in association studies. DESIGN: Case-control association studies were performed using D8S284 and D8S272, microsatellite markers located in the 8q24 region, Tgms1 and Tgms2, microsatellite markers in introns 10 and 27, respectively, of Tg, and a SNP in exon 33 of Tg. RESULTS: No differences in allele frequencies were observed between AITD patients and controls for D8S284, D8S272 and Tgms1. Similarly, for Tgms2 and the exon 33 SNP no significant differences in allele frequency distribution were observed for all AITD patients. However, when analysing the HT patients alone we found a significant association between the 330 bp/352 bp genotype of Tgms2 and HT (HT = 16.7%, controls = 7.1%; corrected P-value = 0.01, OR = 2.6). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the previous reports of an association between the Tg gene and AITD and suggest that Tg is an AITD susceptibility gene.

The equine antitoxins supply system for biological poisons in Japan.

Recently, the equine antitoxin supply in Japan has sharply decreased; then it is apparent that a stable supply produced solely by private industry cannot be relied upon. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), therefore, purchases vaccines and equine antitoxins from manufacturers who could not otherwise independently provide an adequate antitoxin supply to hospitals. This supply system is called the 'Kokuyu vaccine system.' Under this system, MHLW purchases, stores and distributes vaccines and antitoxins to hospitals. This system has worked efficiently and effectively so far and may be a good model for establishing a stable antitoxin supply system in other countries.

p57KIP2 modulates stress-activated signaling by inhibiting c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein Kinase.

p57KIP2, a member of the Cip/Kip family of enzymes that inhibit several cyclin-dependent kinases, plays a role in many biological events including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, tumorigenesis and developmental changes. The human p57KIP2 gene is located in chromosome 11p15.5, a region implicated in sporadic cancers and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. We here report that p57KIP2 physically interacts with and inhibits c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK). The carboxyl-terminal QT domain of p57KIP2 is crucial for the inhibition of JNK/SAPK. Overexpressed p57KIP2 also suppressed UV- and MEKK1-induced apoptotic cell death. p57KIP2 expression during C2C12 myoblast differentiation resulted in repression of the JNK activity stimulated by UV light. Furthermore, UV-stimulated JNK1 activity was higher in mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from p57-/- mice than in the cells from wild-type mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that p57KIP2 modulates stress-activated signaling by functioning as an endogenous inhibitor of JNK/SAPK.

Cellular localization of prolactin-releasing peptide receptors in the human pituitary.

The recently identified prolactin (PRL)-releasing peptide (PrRP) is the first hypothalamic peptide hormone found to operate as a ligand of an orphan receptor that specifically stimulates PRL production from the pituitary gland. However, its other biological functions remain unknown. Using immunohistochemistry, we examined the distribution of the PrRP receptor in various human tissues, as well as the precise localization of the PrRP receptor in the human normal pituitary. Among various tissues examined, PrRP receptor-immunopositive cells were detected only in the pituitary gland. A double immunohistochemical procedure was used to examine PrRP receptor-positive cells from ten normal human pituitary glands, and it was determined that numerous PrRP receptor-positive cells are also positive for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) but negative for PRL. Growth hormone-, beta-thyroid-stimulating hormone-, beta-follicle-stimulating hormone-, beta-luteinizing hormone- or alpha-subunit-positive cells did not test positive for the presence of PrRP receptors. Thus, we suggest that PrRP receptor and probably PrRP may play a regulatory role in ACTH secretion, rather than in the release of PRL from the human anterior pituitary. This is the first report to demonstrate colocalization of the PrRP receptor and ACTH by immunohistochemistry.

Deficiency in p57Kip2 expression induces preeclampsia-like symptoms in mice.

p57Kip2, a potent inhibitor of several cyclin/cyclin dependent kinase complexes (CDK ), is a paternally imprinted gene in both humans and mice, and here we show that pregnant mice which are heterozygous for p57Kip2 deficiency display symptoms similar to preeclampsia. p57-/+ (heterozygotes for p57Kip2 ) female mice that were mated with p57-/+ males showed hypertension, proteinuria, thrombocytopenia, decreased anti-thrombin III activity, and increased endothelin levels during late pregnancy. In their kidneys, endotheliosis of glomeruli were recognized along with fibrinoid or hyalinoid deposits. These characteristics were also observed in pregnant p57-/+ females that were mated with wild type males, but not in pregnant wild type females mated with p57-/+ males or wild type males. The pregnant p57-/+ mice had conceptuses both with and without p57Kip2 expression. The conceptuses without p57Kip2 expression showed trophoblastic hyperplasia, which mimics the hallmark proliferation of intermediate trophoblasts in clinical preeclampsia. It is suggested that the preeclampsia-like symptoms of the pregnant p57-/+ mice might have been induced by the conceptus(es) without p57Kip2 expression. In addition, pregnant p57-/+ mice might serve as a new animal model for preeclampsia characterized by trophoblastic hyperplasia.

Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in placentas of p57(Kip2) null embryos.

Placentas of mice lacking p57(Kip2) expression have trophoblastic hyperplasia. To elucidate the mechanism underlying this phenomenon, we studied expression of two angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placenta growth factor (PlGF). Immunohistochemical analysis with anti-VEGF antibodies indicated that VEGF expression was stronger and more clearly detectable in placentas of p57(Kip2) null embryos compared to wild-type placentas. PlGF showed no significant differences between placentas of p57(Kip2) null and wild-type embryos. In quantitative analysis, placentas of p57(Kip2) null embryos showed higher VEGF messenger (m)RNA and protein levels than did wild-type placentas. PlGF mRNA and protein levels were not significantly different. These findings suggest that VEGF is involved in the hyperplasia that occurs in placentas of p57(Kip2) null embryos.

PPAR(gamma)2 gene Pro12Ala polymorphism may influence serum level of an adipocyte-derived protein, adiponectin, in the Japanese population.

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived protein, which possesses an anti-atherosclerotic action and improves insulin sensitivity. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR(gamma)) regulates the transcription of many adipocyte-specific genes. A Pro12Ala polymorphism has been detected in the PPAR(gamma)2 gene, and this substitution has been reported to reduce transactivation activity in vitro. We hypothesized that individuals possessing this Ala12 allele may have a lower serum adiponectin level, because of the observation that PPAR(gamma) agonists increase the plasma adiponectin level in humans. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of the PPAR(gamma)2 Pro12Ala polymorphism on anthropometric and metabolic parameters, including serum adiponectin level, in 478 Japanese men and 117 women aged 30 to 65 years. There were no homozygous subjects for the Ala12 allele of the PPAR(gamma)2 gene in this study. Plasma adiponectin levels were significantly lower in subjects with the Ala12 allele in the Japanese population of both sexes, although body mass index (BMI), plasma glucose, serum lipids, and insulin resistance index were not significantly different between subjects with and without this polymorphism. It is suggested that the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPAR(gamma)2 gene may reduce serum adiponectin level in the Japanese population.

Correlation of the adipocyte-derived protein adiponectin with insulin resistance index and serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, independent of body mass index, in the Japanese population.

Adiponectin, which is secreted specifically by adipose tissue, has been shown to act as an anti-atherosclerotic protein by direct effects on endothelial cells. Clinical studies have shown that adiponectin levels are lower in individuals with obesity, diabetes and coronary artery disease. The present study investigated relationships between serum adiponectin levels and body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, insulin resistance index, lipid profile, uric acid and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in a large number of Japanese subjects not taking any medication for metabolic disease and without severe illness (705 men and 262 women; age 30-65 years; BMI 22.5+/-2.9 kg/m(2)). The serum adiponectin concentration was measured by ELISA, without a protein-denaturing step. The insulin resistance index was assessed by homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). The serum concentration of adiponectin in women (13.5+/-7.9 microg/ml) was significantly higher than that in men (7.2+/-4.6 microg/ml). The serum adiponectin level was negatively correlated with BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and uric acid, and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. The correlations between serum adiponectin level and insulin, HOMA-IR, triacylglycerols, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and uric acid were significant even after adjustment for age, sex and BMI. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that HDL-cholesterol, sex, BMI and HOMA-IR were independently correlated with the serum adiponectin level (R(2)=0.377). These findings suggest that the serum adiponectin level is negatively correlated with HOMA-IR and positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol, independent of age, sex and BMI, in the Japanese population.

SNP analysis of the inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor family heavy chain-related protein (IHRP) gene by a fluorescence-adapted SSCP method.

BACKGROUND: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are considered to be useful polymorphic markers for genetic studies of polygenic traits. Single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis has been widely applied to detect SNPs, including point mutations in cancer and congenital diseases. In this study, we describe an application of the fluorescent labeling of PCR fragments using a fluorescent-adapted primer for SSCP analysis as a novel method. METHODS: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor family heavy chain-related protein (IHRP) gene were analyzed using a fluorescence-adapted SSCP method. The method was constructed from two procedures: 1) a fluorescent labeling reaction of PCR fragments using fluorescence-adapted primers in a single tube, and 2) electrophoresis on a non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel. RESULTS: This method was more economical and convenient than the single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) methods previously reported in the detection of the labeled fragments obtained. In this study, eight SNPs of the IHRP gene were detected by the fluorescence-adapted SSCP. One of the SNPs was a new SNP resulting in an amino acid substitution, while the other SNPs have already been reported in the public databases. Six SNPs of the IHRP were associated with two haplotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The fluorescence-adapted SSCP was useful for detecting and genotyping SNPs.

Effects of pioglitazone on metabolic parameters, body fat distribution, and serum adiponectin levels in Japanese male patients with type 2 diabetes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pioglitazone on clinical and metabolic parameters, body fat distribution, and serum adiponectin, a recently discovered antiatherosclerotic hormone, in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Ten male patients aged 40 to 66 (57.7 +/- 7.4) years, who were being treated with dietary therapy alone (n = 7) or with a stable dose of sulfonylurea (n = 3), were studied at baseline and after 3 months of pioglitazone treatment (30 mg/d). Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum insulin, adiponectin, and lipid profile were measured. Also, visceral adipose tissue area (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue area (SAT) at the umbilical level were determined by computed tomographic (CT) scanning. Mean blood pressure (109 +/- 14 to 101 +/- 10 mm Hg), FPG (8.6 +/- 1.4 to 7.0 +/- 1.0 mmol/L), serum insulin (54 +/- 11 to 30 +/- 8 pmol/L, P <.01 for all), and HbA1c (6.7 +/- 0.8 to 6.1% +/- 0.6%, P =.013) decreased significantly during 3 months of pioglitazone treatment. BMI (26.4 +/- 3.2 to 27.0 +/- 3.5 kg/m2), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (124 +/- 24 to 138 +/- 24 mg/dL) and SAT (155 +/- 69 to 179 +/- 81cm2, P <.05 for all) increased, while triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol did not change significantly after 3 months of pioglitazone treatment. Serum adiponectin level increased in all patients (4.8 +/- 1.7 to 14.4 +/- 2.1 microg/mL, P =.005). VAT tended to increase (165 +/- 38 to 180 +/- 46 cm2) and VAT/SAT ratio tended to decrease (1.2 +/- 0.3 to 1.1 +/- 0.3), but these differences did not reach statistical significance. These results suggest that pioglitazone exerts good glycemic and blood pressure control despite increased BMI and SAT in Japanese male patients with type 2 diabetes. It is also suggested that pioglitazone may have an antiatherosclerotic effect by increasing serum adiponectin level.

Genetic variation in the gene encoding adiponectin is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the Japanese population.

An adipocyte-derived peptide, adiponectin (also known as GBP28), is decreased in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Recent genome-wide scans have mapped a diabetes susceptibility locus to chromosome 3q27, where the adiponectin gene (APM1) is located. Herein, we present evidence of an association between frequent single nucleotide polymorphisms at positions 45 and 276 in the adiponectin gene and type 2 diabetes (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively). Subjects with the G/G genotype at position 45 or the G/G genotype at position 276 had a significantly increased risk of type 2 diabetes (odds ratio 1.70 [95% CI 1.09-2.65] and 2.16 [1.22-3.95], respectively) compared with those having the T/T genotype at positions 45 and 276, respectively. In addition, the subjects with the G/G genotype at position 276 had a higher insulin resistance index than those with the T/T genotype (1.61 +/- 0.05 vs. 1.19 +/- 0.12, P = 0.001). The G allele at position 276 was linearly associated with lower plasma adiponectin levels (G/G: 10.4 +/- 0.85 microg/ml, G/T: 13.7 +/- 0.87 microg/ml, T/T: 16.6 +/- 2.24 microg/ml, P = 0.01) in subjects with higher BMIs. Based on these findings together with the observation that adiponectin improves insulin sensitivity in animal models, we conclude that the adiponectin gene may be a susceptibility gene for type 2 diabetes.