Horm Metab Res 2014; 46(09): 635-643
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1383574
Endocrine Research
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Quantitative Trait Loci Influencing Abdominal Fat Deposition and Functional Variability of the HPA Axis in the Rat

Authors

  • N. Marissal-Arvy

    1   INRA, Laboratory of Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, Bordeaux Cedex, France
    2   Univ. Bordeaux, Laboratory of Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, Bordeaux Cedex, France
  • J.-M. Heliès

    1   INRA, Laboratory of Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, Bordeaux Cedex, France
    2   Univ. Bordeaux, Laboratory of Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, Bordeaux Cedex, France
  • C. Tridon

    1   INRA, Laboratory of Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, Bordeaux Cedex, France
    2   Univ. Bordeaux, Laboratory of Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, Bordeaux Cedex, France
  • M.-P. Moisan

    1   INRA, Laboratory of Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, Bordeaux Cedex, France
    2   Univ. Bordeaux, Laboratory of Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, Bordeaux Cedex, France
  • P. Mormède

    1   INRA, Laboratory of Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, Bordeaux Cedex, France
    2   Univ. Bordeaux, Laboratory of Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, Bordeaux Cedex, France
    3   Present address: INRA, Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet-Tolosan Cedex, France
Further Information

Publication History

received 17 October 2013

accepted 04 June 2014

Publication Date:
08 July 2014 (online)

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Abstract

With the aim to reveal common genomic regions influencing phenotypes related to HPA axis function and metabolism, we did a quantitative trait loci (QTL) study in a F2 population obtained from the cross-breeding between 2 contrasted rat strains, LOU/C and Fischer 344. QTL determining phenotypes related first to corticotropic function were searched: plasma corticosterone (Cort) in control and stress conditions, after a dexamethasone suppression treatment (glucocorticoid receptor related-effect), and mineralocorticoid receptor-mediated urinary response to aldosterone. Then, phenotypes related to metabolism were studied on the same animals: body composition, basal and post-insulin plasma glucose, plasma free fatty acids, leptin, and insulin. Finally, we analyzed the overlapping regions between these QTL and looked for candidate genes within these regions. The gene NR3C1 encoding the glucocorticoid receptor was confirmed to be central in the link between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and fat deposition, and its metabolic consequences. Among the other candidate genes detected, most contain a glucocorticoid responsive element, strengthening our hypothesis of common genetic determinism between HPA axis and metabolism.