Calpain-10 gene polymorphism is associated with reduced β3-adrenoceptor function in human fat cells

Polymorphism in the calpain-10 gene is linked to type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and decreased thermogenesis. In view of the role of beta-adrenoceptors in thermogenesis we investigated the relationship between beta(1)-, beta(2)-, and beta(3)-adrenoceptor-stimulated lipolysis in abdominal sc fat cells and 3 different previously described single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the calpain-10 gene (SNP-19, SNP-43, and SNP-63). The study sample comprised 240 healthy subjects. A strong association between lipolytic beta(3)-receptor function in adipocytes and the SNP-19, which is a deletion/insertion (1/2) was observed in overweight subjects (body mass index, >25 kg/m(2)), but not in lean ones. No association was found between any of the polymorphisms and lipolytic function of either beta(1)- or beta(2)-receptors. Carriers of 1/1 in SNP-19 had 30-fold decreased lipolytic sensitivity of beta(3)-adrenoceptors in comparison to 1/2 or 212 carriers (P = 0.0019, by ANOVA). This was found in both genders and was not influenced by SNP-43 or SNP-63 in the calpain-10 gene or by the Trp(64)Arg polymorphism in the beta(3)-adrenoceptor gene. In conclusion, a deletion/insertion polymorphism in the calpain-10 gene (SNP-19) is associated with reduced beta(3)-adrenoceptor function in obesity. This could be of importance for regulating thermogenesis in overweight subjects.