Abstract
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 (ND2) andβ3-adrenergic receptor (BAR3) genes are well established to be associated with life style-related diseases. The ND2 gene variant (Mt5178A) is associated with longevity or less susceptibility to adult-onset diseases. The BAR3 gene allelic variant (Trp64Arg and Arg64Arg) is linked with obesity or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We investigated whether the combination of these 2 genes affect eating behavior, and found that the BAR3-normal (Trp64Trp)+ND2-variant (Mt5178A) group preferred much carbohydrate and less animal protein, Vitamin B_2 (B_<2)>, calcium in comparison with the other genetic groups. Less intake of B_2 was principally associated with Mt5178A in this group. Taking account that flavin adenine dinucleotide is a coenzyme of the NADH dehydrogenase which composes the proton-pumping complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport system, the association between Mt5178A variant and less B_2 intake is tremendously interesting. In this paper, we discuss a possible association between genetic polymorphism and eating behavior by summarizing our own research data.
