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Twin pair analysis uncovers links between DNA methylation, mitochondrial DNA quantity and obesity

Author

Listed:
  • Aino Heikkinen

    (University of Helsinki
    Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research)

  • Vivienne F. C. Esser

    (University of Melbourne)

  • Seung Hyuk T. Lee

    (David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA)

  • Sara Lundgren

    (University of Helsinki)

  • Antti Hakkarainen

    (University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital)

  • Jesper Lundbom

    (University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital
    Heinrich Heine University)

  • Juho Kuula

    (University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital
    National Institute for Health and Welfare)

  • Per-Henrik Groop

    (Folkhälsan Research Center
    University of Helsinki
    University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital)

  • Sini Heinonen

    (University of Helsinki
    Helsinki University Hospital)

  • Sergio Villicaña

    (King’s College London)

  • Jordana T. Bell

    (King’s College London)

  • Alice Maguolo

    (Scania University Hospital)

  • Emma Nilsson

    (Scania University Hospital)

  • Charlotte Ling

    (Scania University Hospital)

  • Allan Vaag

    (Scania University Hospital
    Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen
    Skåne University Hospital)

  • Päivi Pajukanta

    (David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
    UCLA
    David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA)

  • Jaakko Kaprio

    (University of Helsinki)

  • Kirsi H. Pietiläinen

    (University of Helsinki
    Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki)

  • Shuai Li

    (University of Melbourne
    Monash University)

  • Miina Ollikainen

    (University of Helsinki
    Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research)

Abstract

Alterations in mitochondrial metabolism in obesity may indicate disrupted communication between mitochondria and nucleus, and DNA methylation may influence this interplay. Here, we leverage data from the Finnish Twin Cohort study subcohort (n = 173; 86 full twin pairs, 1 singleton), including comprehensive measurements of obesity-related outcomes, mitochondrial DNA quantity and nuclear DNA methylation levels in adipose and muscle tissue, to identify one CpG at SH3BP4 significantly associated with mitochondrial DNA quantity in adipose tissue (FDR

Suggested Citation

  • Aino Heikkinen & Vivienne F. C. Esser & Seung Hyuk T. Lee & Sara Lundgren & Antti Hakkarainen & Jesper Lundbom & Juho Kuula & Per-Henrik Groop & Sini Heinonen & Sergio Villicaña & Jordana T. Bell & Al, 2025. "Twin pair analysis uncovers links between DNA methylation, mitochondrial DNA quantity and obesity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59576-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59576-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Simone Wahl & Alexander Drong & Benjamin Lehne & Marie Loh & William R. Scott & Sonja Kunze & Pei-Chien Tsai & Janina S. Ried & Weihua Zhang & Youwen Yang & Sili Tan & Giovanni Fiorito & Lude Franke &, 2017. "Epigenome-wide association study of body mass index, and the adverse outcomes of adiposity," Nature, Nature, vol. 541(7635), pages 81-86, January.
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