Polymorphism of prohormone convertase-1 and pro-opiomelanocortin associated with leptin level in Javanese ethnic of Indonesia

Java is one of the islands in Indonesia with a large number of overweight and obese population. Obesity is caused by higher energy food intake that is more than needed and is influenced by environment and genetics. This study examined the relationship between polymorphism of K121Q prohormone convertase-1 (PC-1) and Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) (C8246T) genes in correlated with leptin level in obese people compared with the control of Javanese ethnic. Subjects consisted of 112 healthy people, involving 56 obese and 56 controls. Determinations of PC-1 and POMC genotypes were done by a polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Determinations of leptin and insulin levels were done with Elisa, and blood sugar levels by GOD-PAP method, with significance set, if p > 0.05. The result was higher and significantly different in blood pressure and leptin level in the obese group compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in POMC and PC-1 genotypes between obese and control groups. Carriers of CC and TC genotypes in the POMC gene had higher leptin levels and were statistically significantly different than the control group. Carriers of GG genotype in PC-1 gene had higher leptin levels in obese group compared to the control group. Polymorphism of POMC (C8246T) and K121Q PC-1 genes can be correlated with leptin level in obese groups of sample Javanese population in Indonesia. Further research is needed to confirm the results of this study and to develop a more comprehensive model of genetic polymorphism related to leptin levels and obesity in ethnic genotypes of Asia.