Molecular Genetics in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Dear Colleagues,

Obesity is a serious medical condition defined as the excessive accumulation of fat. Obesity and metabolic syndrome are closely interrelated and are influenced by many factors, such as genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, as well as others. The clustering of metabolic traits that include central obesity, abnormal glucose regulation, dyslipidemia, and elevated blood pressure, known as metabolic syndrome, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus type 2. Genetically modified mice models and the identification of causative genes for human monogenic obesity/insulin resistance syndrome provides important insights into the pathogenesis of this metabolic syndrome. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have also identified several genes associated with the metabolic syndrome, including genes involved in lipid metabolism (CETP, APOA1/C3/A4/A5 cluster, LPL, LIPC, and ABCB11), glucose sensing (GCKR), insulin signaling (IRS1), beta-cell function (TCF7L2), and appetite control (FTO). The assessment of the association of genetic factors with obesity and metabolic syndrome will help to identify individuals at increased risk and develop preventive strategies and a personalized approach for the better management of these conditions.

The Special Issue aims to present research articles and comprehensive reviews that provide the most updated explanations concerning obesity and metabolic syndrome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following: a) the identification of genetic markers associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome; b) the molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying these conditions; and c) novel approaches for the potential prevention and therapeutic strategies of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and related conditions.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Emina Colak
Dr. Aleksandra Jotic
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• genetics
• metabolic syndrome
• insulin resistance
• obesity
• dyslipidemia
• genome-wide association analysis