TY - JOUR T1 - Next-generation sequencing identified SPATC1L as a possible candidate gene for both early-onset and age-related hearing loss. JF - Eur J Hum Genet Y1 - 2019 A1 - Morgan, Anna A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Krishnamoorthy, Navaneethakrishnan A1 - Rubinato, Elisa A1 - Ambrosetti, Umberto A1 - Castorina, Pierangela A1 - Franzè, Annamaria A1 - Vozzi, Diego A1 - La Bianca, Martina A1 - Cappellani, Stefania A1 - Di Stazio, Mariateresa A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Girotto, Giorgia AB -

Hereditary hearing loss (HHL) and age-related hearing loss (ARHL) are two major sensory diseases affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite many efforts, additional HHL-genes and ARHL genetic risk factors still need to be identified. To fill this gap a large genomic screening based on next-generation sequencing technologies was performed. Whole exome sequencing in a 3-generation Italian HHL family and targeted re-sequencing in 464 ARHL patients were performed. We detected three variants in SPATC1L: a nonsense allele in an HHL family and a frameshift insertion and a missense variation in two unrelated ARHL patients. In silico molecular modelling of all variants suggested a significant impact on the structural stability of the protein itself, likely leading to deleterious effects and resulting in truncated isoforms. After demonstrating Spatc1l expression in mice inner ear, in vitro functional experiments were performed confirming the results of the molecular modelling studies. Finally, a candidate-gene population-based statistical study in cohorts from Caucasus and Central Asia revealed a statistically significant association of SPATC1L with normal hearing function at low and medium hearing frequencies. Overall, the amount of different genetic data presented here (variants with early-onset and late-onset hearing loss in addition to genetic association with normal hearing function), together with relevant functional evidence, likely suggest a role of SPATC1L in hearing function and loss.

VL - 27 IS - 1 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30177775?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Genetic analysis of over 1 million people identifies 535 new loci associated with blood pressure traits. JF - Nat Genet Y1 - 2018 A1 - Evangelou, Evangelos A1 - Warren, Helen R A1 - Mosen-Ansorena, David A1 - Mifsud, Borbala A1 - Pazoki, Raha A1 - Gao, He A1 - Ntritsos, Georgios A1 - Dimou, Niki A1 - Cabrera, Claudia P A1 - Karaman, Ibrahim A1 - Ng, Fu Liang A1 - Evangelou, Marina A1 - Witkowska, Katarzyna A1 - Tzanis, Evan A1 - Hellwege, Jacklyn N A1 - Giri, Ayush A1 - Velez Edwards, Digna R A1 - Sun, Yan V A1 - Cho, Kelly A1 - Gaziano, J Michael A1 - Wilson, Peter W F A1 - Tsao, Philip S A1 - Kovesdy, Csaba P A1 - Esko, Tõnu A1 - Mägi, Reedik A1 - Milani, Lili A1 - Almgren, Peter A1 - Boutin, Thibaud A1 - Debette, Stéphanie A1 - Ding, Jun A1 - Giulianini, Franco A1 - Holliday, Elizabeth G A1 - Jackson, Anne U A1 - Li-Gao, Ruifang A1 - Lin, Wei-Yu A1 - Luan, Jian'an A1 - Mangino, Massimo A1 - Oldmeadow, Christopher A1 - Prins, Bram Peter A1 - Qian, Yong A1 - Sargurupremraj, Muralidharan A1 - Shah, Nabi A1 - Surendran, Praveen A1 - Thériault, Sébastien A1 - Verweij, Niek A1 - Willems, Sara M A1 - Zhao, Jing-Hua A1 - Amouyel, Philippe A1 - Connell, John A1 - de Mutsert, Renée A1 - Doney, Alex S F A1 - Farrall, Martin A1 - Menni, Cristina A1 - Morris, Andrew D A1 - Noordam, Raymond A1 - Paré, Guillaume A1 - Poulter, Neil R A1 - Shields, Denis C A1 - Stanton, Alice A1 - Thom, Simon A1 - Abecasis, Goncalo A1 - Amin, Najaf A1 - Arking, Dan E A1 - Ayers, Kristin L A1 - Barbieri, Caterina M A1 - Batini, Chiara A1 - Bis, Joshua C A1 - Blake, Tineka A1 - Bochud, Murielle A1 - Boehnke, Michael A1 - Boerwinkle, Eric A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Bottinger, Erwin P A1 - Braund, Peter S A1 - Brumat, Marco A1 - Campbell, Archie A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Chakravarti, Aravinda A1 - Chambers, John C A1 - Chauhan, Ganesh A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Cocca, Massimiliano A1 - Collins, Francis A1 - Cordell, Heather J A1 - Davies, Gail A1 - de Borst, Martin H A1 - de Geus, Eco J A1 - Deary, Ian J A1 - Deelen, Joris A1 - del Greco M, Fabiola A1 - Demirkale, Cumhur Yusuf A1 - Dörr, Marcus A1 - Ehret, Georg B A1 - Elosua, Roberto A1 - Enroth, Stefan A1 - Erzurumluoglu, A Mesut A1 - Ferreira, Teresa A1 - Frånberg, Mattias A1 - Franco, Oscar H A1 - Gandin, Ilaria A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Giedraitis, Vilmantas A1 - Gieger, Christian A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Goel, Anuj A1 - Gow, Alan J A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - Guo, Xiuqing A1 - Gyllensten, Ulf A1 - Hamsten, Anders A1 - Harris, Tamara B A1 - Harris, Sarah E A1 - Hartman, Catharina A A1 - Havulinna, Aki S A1 - Hicks, Andrew A A1 - Hofer, Edith A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Hottenga, Jouke-Jan A1 - Huffman, Jennifer E A1 - Hwang, Shih-Jen A1 - Ingelsson, Erik A1 - James, Alan A1 - Jansen, Rick A1 - Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta A1 - Joehanes, Roby A1 - Johansson, Åsa A1 - Johnson, Andrew D A1 - Joshi, Peter K A1 - Jousilahti, Pekka A1 - Jukema, J Wouter A1 - Jula, Antti A1 - Kähönen, Mika A1 - Kathiresan, Sekar A1 - Keavney, Bernard D A1 - Khaw, Kay-Tee A1 - Knekt, Paul A1 - Knight, Joanne A1 - Kolcic, Ivana A1 - Kooner, Jaspal S A1 - Koskinen, Seppo A1 - Kristiansson, Kati A1 - Kutalik, Zoltán A1 - Laan, Maris A1 - Larson, Marty A1 - Launer, Lenore J A1 - Lehne, Benjamin A1 - Lehtimäki, Terho A1 - Liewald, David C M A1 - Lin, Li A1 - Lind, Lars A1 - Lindgren, Cecilia M A1 - Liu, Yongmei A1 - Loos, Ruth J F A1 - Lopez, Lorna M A1 - Lu, Yingchang A1 - Lyytikäinen, Leo-Pekka A1 - Mahajan, Anubha A1 - Mamasoula, Chrysovalanto A1 - Marrugat, Jaume A1 - Marten, Jonathan A1 - Milaneschi, Yuri A1 - Morgan, Anna A1 - Morris, Andrew P A1 - Morrison, Alanna C A1 - Munson, Peter J A1 - Nalls, Mike A A1 - Nandakumar, Priyanka A1 - Nelson, Christopher P A1 - Niiranen, Teemu A1 - Nolte, Ilja M A1 - Nutile, Teresa A1 - Oldehinkel, Albertine J A1 - Oostra, Ben A A1 - O'Reilly, Paul F A1 - Org, Elin A1 - Padmanabhan, Sandosh A1 - Palmas, Walter A1 - Palotie, Aarno A1 - Pattie, Alison A1 - Penninx, Brenda W J H A1 - Perola, Markus A1 - Peters, Annette A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Pramstaller, Peter P A1 - Nguyen, Quang Tri A1 - Raitakari, Olli T A1 - Ren, Meixia A1 - Rettig, Rainer A1 - Rice, Kenneth A1 - Ridker, Paul M A1 - Ried, Janina S A1 - Riese, Harriëtte A1 - Ripatti, Samuli A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Rose, Lynda M A1 - Rotter, Jerome I A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Ruggiero, Daniela A1 - Saba, Yasaman A1 - Sala, Cinzia F A1 - Salomaa, Veikko A1 - Samani, Nilesh J A1 - Sarin, Antti-Pekka A1 - Schmidt, Reinhold A1 - Schmidt, Helena A1 - Shrine, Nick A1 - Siscovick, David A1 - Smith, Albert V A1 - Snieder, Harold A1 - Sõber, Siim A1 - Sorice, Rossella A1 - Starr, John M A1 - Stott, David J A1 - Strachan, David P A1 - Strawbridge, Rona J A1 - Sundström, Johan A1 - Swertz, Morris A A1 - Taylor, Kent D A1 - Teumer, Alexander A1 - Tobin, Martin D A1 - Tomaszewski, Maciej A1 - Toniolo, Daniela A1 - Traglia, Michela A1 - Trompet, Stella A1 - Tuomilehto, Jaakko A1 - Tzourio, Christophe A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Vaez, Ahmad A1 - van der Most, Peter J A1 - van Duijn, Cornelia M A1 - Vergnaud, Anne-Claire A1 - Verwoert, Germaine C A1 - Vitart, Veronique A1 - Völker, Uwe A1 - Vollenweider, Peter A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Watkins, Hugh A1 - Wild, Sarah H A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Wilson, James F A1 - Wright, Alan F A1 - Yao, Jie A1 - Zemunik, Tatijana A1 - Zhang, Weihua A1 - Attia, John R A1 - Butterworth, Adam S A1 - Chasman, Daniel I A1 - Conen, David A1 - Cucca, Francesco A1 - Danesh, John A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Howson, Joanna M M A1 - Laakso, Markku A1 - Lakatta, Edward G A1 - Langenberg, Claudia A1 - Melander, Olle A1 - Mook-Kanamori, Dennis O A1 - Palmer, Colin N A A1 - Risch, Lorenz A1 - Scott, Robert A A1 - Scott, Rodney J A1 - Sever, Peter A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - van der Harst, Pim A1 - Wareham, Nicholas J A1 - Zeggini, Eleftheria A1 - Levy, Daniel A1 - Munroe, Patricia B A1 - Newton-Cheh, Christopher A1 - Brown, Morris J A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Hung, Adriana M A1 - O'Donnell, Christopher J A1 - Edwards, Todd L A1 - Psaty, Bruce M A1 - Tzoulaki, Ioanna A1 - Barnes, Michael R A1 - Wain, Louise V A1 - Elliott, Paul A1 - Caulfield, Mark J AB -

High blood pressure is a highly heritable and modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We report the largest genetic association study of blood pressure traits (systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure) to date in over 1 million people of European ancestry. We identify 535 novel blood pressure loci that not only offer new biological insights into blood pressure regulation but also highlight shared genetic architecture between blood pressure and lifestyle exposures. Our findings identify new biological pathways for blood pressure regulation with potential for improved cardiovascular disease prevention in the future.

VL - 50 IS - 10 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30224653?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Genome Analyses of >200,000 Individuals Identify 58 Loci for Chronic Inflammation and Highlight Pathways that Link Inflammation and Complex Disorders. JF - Am J Hum Genet Y1 - 2018 A1 - Ligthart, Symen A1 - Vaez, Ahmad A1 - Võsa, Urmo A1 - Stathopoulou, Maria G A1 - de Vries, Paul S A1 - Prins, Bram P A1 - van der Most, Peter J A1 - Tanaka, Toshiko A1 - Naderi, Elnaz A1 - Rose, Lynda M A1 - Wu, Ying A1 - Karlsson, Robert A1 - Barbalic, Maja A1 - Lin, Honghuang A1 - Pool, René A1 - Zhu, Gu A1 - Macé, Aurélien A1 - Sidore, Carlo A1 - Trompet, Stella A1 - Mangino, Massimo A1 - Sabater-Lleal, Maria A1 - Kemp, John P A1 - Abbasi, Ali A1 - Kacprowski, Tim A1 - Verweij, Niek A1 - Smith, Albert V A1 - Huang, Tao A1 - Marzi, Carola A1 - Feitosa, Mary F A1 - Lohman, Kurt K A1 - Kleber, Marcus E A1 - Milaneschi, Yuri A1 - Mueller, Christian A1 - Huq, Mahmudul A1 - Vlachopoulou, Efthymia A1 - Lyytikäinen, Leo-Pekka A1 - Oldmeadow, Christopher A1 - Deelen, Joris A1 - Perola, Markus A1 - Zhao, Jing Hua A1 - Feenstra, Bjarke A1 - Amini, Marzyeh A1 - Lahti, Jari A1 - Schraut, Katharina E A1 - Fornage, Myriam A1 - Suktitipat, Bhoom A1 - Chen, Wei-Min A1 - Li, Xiaohui A1 - Nutile, Teresa A1 - Malerba, Giovanni A1 - Luan, Jian'an A1 - Bak, Tom A1 - Schork, Nicholas A1 - del Greco M, Fabiola A1 - Thiering, Elisabeth A1 - Mahajan, Anubha A1 - Marioni, Riccardo E A1 - Mihailov, Evelin A1 - Eriksson, Joel A1 - Ozel, Ayse Bilge A1 - Zhang, Weihua A1 - Nethander, Maria A1 - Cheng, Yu-Ching A1 - Aslibekyan, Stella A1 - Ang, Wei A1 - Gandin, Ilaria A1 - Yengo, Loic A1 - Portas, Laura A1 - Kooperberg, Charles A1 - Hofer, Edith A1 - Rajan, Kumar B A1 - Schurmann, Claudia A1 - den Hollander, Wouter A1 - Ahluwalia, Tarunveer S A1 - Zhao, Jing A1 - Draisma, Harmen H M A1 - Ford, Ian A1 - Timpson, Nicholas A1 - Teumer, Alexander A1 - Huang, Hongyan A1 - Wahl, Simone A1 - Liu, Yongmei A1 - Huang, Jie A1 - Uh, Hae-Won A1 - Geller, Frank A1 - Joshi, Peter K A1 - Yanek, Lisa R A1 - Trabetti, Elisabetta A1 - Lehne, Benjamin A1 - Vozzi, Diego A1 - Verbanck, Marie A1 - Biino, Ginevra A1 - Saba, Yasaman A1 - Meulenbelt, Ingrid A1 - O'Connell, Jeff R A1 - Laakso, Markku A1 - Giulianini, Franco A1 - Magnusson, Patrik K E A1 - Ballantyne, Christie M A1 - Hottenga, Jouke Jan A1 - Montgomery, Grant W A1 - Rivadineira, Fernando A1 - Rueedi, Rico A1 - Steri, Maristella A1 - Herzig, Karl-Heinz A1 - Stott, David J A1 - Menni, Cristina A1 - Frånberg, Mattias A1 - St Pourcain, Beate A1 - Felix, Stephan B A1 - Pers, Tune H A1 - Bakker, Stephan J L A1 - Kraft, Peter A1 - Peters, Annette A1 - Vaidya, Dhananjay A1 - Delgado, Graciela A1 - Smit, Johannes H A1 - Großmann, Vera A1 - Sinisalo, Juha A1 - Seppälä, Ilkka A1 - Williams, Stephen R A1 - Holliday, Elizabeth G A1 - Moed, Matthijs A1 - Langenberg, Claudia A1 - Räikkönen, Katri A1 - Ding, Jingzhong A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Sale, Michele M A1 - Chen, Yii-Der I A1 - James, Alan L A1 - Ruggiero, Daniela A1 - Soranzo, Nicole A1 - Hartman, Catharina A A1 - Smith, Erin N A1 - Berenson, Gerald S A1 - Fuchsberger, Christian A1 - Hernandez, Dena A1 - Tiesler, Carla M T A1 - Giedraitis, Vilmantas A1 - Liewald, David A1 - Fischer, Krista A1 - Mellström, Dan A1 - Larsson, Anders A1 - Wang, Yunmei A1 - Scott, William R A1 - Lorentzon, Matthias A1 - Beilby, John A1 - Ryan, Kathleen A A1 - Pennell, Craig E A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Balkau, Beverly A1 - Concas, Maria Pina A1 - Schmidt, Reinhold A1 - Mendes de Leon, Carlos F A1 - Bottinger, Erwin P A1 - Kloppenburg, Margreet A1 - Paternoster, Lavinia A1 - Boehnke, Michael A1 - Musk, A W A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Evans, David M A1 - Madden, Pamela A F A1 - Kähönen, Mika A1 - Kutalik, Zoltán A1 - Zoledziewska, Magdalena A1 - Karhunen, Ville A1 - Kritchevsky, Stephen B A1 - Sattar, Naveed A1 - LaChance, Genevieve A1 - Clarke, Robert A1 - Harris, Tamara B A1 - Raitakari, Olli T A1 - Attia, John R A1 - van Heemst, Diana A1 - Kajantie, Eero A1 - Sorice, Rossella A1 - Gambaro, Giovanni A1 - Scott, Robert A A1 - Hicks, Andrew A A1 - Ferrucci, Luigi A1 - Standl, Marie A1 - Lindgren, Cecilia M A1 - Starr, John M A1 - Karlsson, Magnus A1 - Lind, Lars A1 - Li, Jun Z A1 - Chambers, John C A1 - Mori, Trevor A A1 - de Geus, Eco J C N A1 - Heath, Andrew C A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - Auvinen, Juha A1 - Buckley, Brendan M A1 - de Craen, Anton J M A1 - Waldenberger, Melanie A1 - Strauch, Konstantin A1 - Meitinger, Thomas A1 - Scott, Rodney J A1 - McEvoy, Mark A1 - Beekman, Marian A1 - Bombieri, Cristina A1 - Ridker, Paul M A1 - Mohlke, Karen L A1 - Pedersen, Nancy L A1 - Morrison, Alanna C A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Whitfield, John B A1 - Strachan, David P A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Vollenweider, Peter A1 - Cucca, Francesco A1 - Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta A1 - Jukema, J Wouter A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - Hamsten, Anders A1 - Zeller, Tanja A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Nauck, Matthias A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - Qi, Lu A1 - Grallert, Harald A1 - Borecki, Ingrid B A1 - Rotter, Jerome I A1 - März, Winfried A1 - Wild, Philipp S A1 - Lokki, Marja-Liisa A1 - Boyle, Michael A1 - Salomaa, Veikko A1 - Melbye, Mads A1 - Eriksson, Johan G A1 - Wilson, James F A1 - Penninx, Brenda W J H A1 - Becker, Diane M A1 - Worrall, Bradford B A1 - Gibson, Greg A1 - Krauss, Ronald M A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Zaza, Gianluigi A1 - Wareham, Nicholas J A1 - Oldehinkel, Albertine J A1 - Palmer, Lyle J A1 - Murray, Sarah S A1 - Pramstaller, Peter P A1 - Bandinelli, Stefania A1 - Heinrich, Joachim A1 - Ingelsson, Erik A1 - Deary, Ian J A1 - Mägi, Reedik A1 - Vandenput, Liesbeth A1 - van der Harst, Pim A1 - Desch, Karl C A1 - Kooner, Jaspal S A1 - Ohlsson, Claes A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Lehtimäki, Terho A1 - Shuldiner, Alan R A1 - Arnett, Donna K A1 - Beilin, Lawrence J A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Froguel, Philippe A1 - Pirastu, Mario A1 - Jess, Tine A1 - Koenig, Wolfgang A1 - Loos, Ruth J F A1 - Evans, Denis A A1 - Schmidt, Helena A1 - Smith, George Davey A1 - Slagboom, P Eline A1 - Eiriksdottir, Gudny A1 - Morris, Andrew P A1 - Psaty, Bruce M A1 - Tracy, Russell P A1 - Nolte, Ilja M A1 - Boerwinkle, Eric A1 - Visvikis-Siest, Sophie A1 - Reiner, Alex P A1 - Gross, Myron A1 - Bis, Joshua C A1 - Franke, Lude A1 - Franco, Oscar H A1 - Benjamin, Emelia J A1 - Chasman, Daniel I A1 - Dupuis, Josée A1 - Snieder, Harold A1 - Dehghan, Abbas A1 - Alizadeh, Behrooz Z AB -

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a sensitive biomarker of chronic low-grade inflammation and is associated with multiple complex diseases. The genetic determinants of chronic inflammation remain largely unknown, and the causal role of CRP in several clinical outcomes is debated. We performed two genome-wide association studies (GWASs), on HapMap and 1000 Genomes imputed data, of circulating amounts of CRP by using data from 88 studies comprising 204,402 European individuals. Additionally, we performed in silico functional analyses and Mendelian randomization analyses with several clinical outcomes. The GWAS meta-analyses of CRP revealed 58 distinct genetic loci (p < 5 × 10). After adjustment for body mass index in the regression analysis, the associations at all except three loci remained. The lead variants at the distinct loci explained up to 7.0% of the variance in circulating amounts of CRP. We identified 66 gene sets that were organized in two substantially correlated clusters, one mainly composed of immune pathways and the other characterized by metabolic pathways in the liver. Mendelian randomization analyses revealed a causal protective effect of CRP on schizophrenia and a risk-increasing effect on bipolar disorder. Our findings provide further insights into the biology of inflammation and could lead to interventions for treating inflammation and its clinical consequences.

VL - 103 IS - 5 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30388399?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Genome-wide association meta-analysis of individuals of European ancestry identifies new loci explaining a substantial fraction of hair color variation and heritability. JF - Nat Genet Y1 - 2018 A1 - Hysi, Pirro G A1 - Valdes, Ana M A1 - Liu, Fan A1 - Furlotte, Nicholas A A1 - Evans, David M A1 - Bataille, Veronique A1 - Visconti, Alessia A1 - Hemani, Gibran A1 - McMahon, George A1 - Ring, Susan M A1 - Smith, George Davey A1 - Duffy, David L A1 - Zhu, Gu A1 - Gordon, Scott D A1 - Medland, Sarah E A1 - Lin, Bochao D A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Jan Hottenga, Jouke A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Gandin, Ilaria A1 - Sala, Cinzia A1 - Concas, Maria Pina A1 - Brumat, Marco A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Toniolo, Daniela A1 - Cocca, Massimiliano A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Yazar, Seyhan A1 - Hewitt, Alex W A1 - Chen, Yan A1 - Zeng, Changqing A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Ikram, M Arfan A1 - Hamer, Merel A A1 - van Duijn, Cornelia M A1 - Nijsten, Tamar A1 - Mackey, David A A1 - Falchi, Mario A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - Hinds, David A A1 - Kayser, Manfred A1 - Spector, Timothy D AB -

Hair color is one of the most recognizable visual traits in European populations and is under strong genetic control. Here we report the results of a genome-wide association study meta-analysis of almost 300,000 participants of European descent. We identified 123 autosomal and one X-chromosome loci significantly associated with hair color; all but 13 are novel. Collectively, single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with hair color within these loci explain 34.6% of red hair, 24.8% of blond hair, and 26.1% of black hair heritability in the study populations. These results confirm the polygenic nature of complex phenotypes and improve our understanding of melanin pigment metabolism in humans.

VL - 50 IS - 5 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29662168?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - 1000 Genomes-based meta-analysis identifies 10 novel loci for kidney function. JF - Sci Rep Y1 - 2017 A1 - Gorski, Mathias A1 - van der Most, Peter J A1 - Teumer, Alexander A1 - Chu, Audrey Y A1 - Li, Man A1 - Mijatovic, Vladan A1 - Nolte, Ilja M A1 - Cocca, Massimiliano A1 - Taliun, Daniel A1 - Gomez, Felicia A1 - Li, Yong A1 - Tayo, Bamidele A1 - Tin, Adrienne A1 - Feitosa, Mary F A1 - Aspelund, Thor A1 - Attia, John A1 - Biffar, Reiner A1 - Bochud, Murielle A1 - Boerwinkle, Eric A1 - Borecki, Ingrid A1 - Bottinger, Erwin P A1 - Chen, Ming-Huei A1 - Chouraki, Vincent A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Coresh, Josef A1 - Cornelis, Marilyn C A1 - Curhan, Gary C A1 - d'Adamo, Adamo Pio A1 - Dehghan, Abbas A1 - Dengler, Laura A1 - Ding, Jingzhong A1 - Eiriksdottir, Gudny A1 - Endlich, Karlhans A1 - Enroth, Stefan A1 - Esko, Tõnu A1 - Franco, Oscar H A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Gieger, Christian A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Gottesman, Omri A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - Gyllensten, Ulf A1 - Hancock, Stephen J A1 - Harris, Tamara B A1 - Helmer, Catherine A1 - Höllerer, Simon A1 - Hofer, Edith A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Holliday, Elizabeth G A1 - Homuth, Georg A1 - Hu, Frank B A1 - Huth, Cornelia A1 - Hutri-Kähönen, Nina A1 - Hwang, Shih-Jen A1 - Imboden, Medea A1 - Johansson, Åsa A1 - Kähönen, Mika A1 - König, Wolfgang A1 - Kramer, Holly A1 - Krämer, Bernhard K A1 - Kumar, Ashish A1 - Kutalik, Zoltán A1 - Lambert, Jean-Charles A1 - Launer, Lenore J A1 - Lehtimäki, Terho A1 - de Borst, Martin A1 - Navis, Gerjan A1 - Swertz, Morris A1 - Liu, Yongmei A1 - Lohman, Kurt A1 - Loos, Ruth J F A1 - Lu, Yingchang A1 - Lyytikäinen, Leo-Pekka A1 - McEvoy, Mark A A1 - Meisinger, Christa A1 - Meitinger, Thomas A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Metzger, Marie A1 - Mihailov, Evelin A1 - Mitchell, Paul A1 - Nauck, Matthias A1 - Oldehinkel, Albertine J A1 - Olden, Matthias A1 - Wjh Penninx, Brenda A1 - Pistis, Giorgio A1 - Pramstaller, Peter P A1 - Probst-Hensch, Nicole A1 - Raitakari, Olli T A1 - Rettig, Rainer A1 - Ridker, Paul M A1 - Rivadeneira, Fernando A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Rosas, Sylvia E A1 - Ruderfer, Douglas A1 - Ruggiero, Daniela A1 - Saba, Yasaman A1 - Sala, Cinzia A1 - Schmidt, Helena A1 - Schmidt, Reinhold A1 - Scott, Rodney J A1 - Sedaghat, Sanaz A1 - Smith, Albert V A1 - Sorice, Rossella A1 - Stengel, Bénédicte A1 - Stracke, Sylvia A1 - Strauch, Konstantin A1 - Toniolo, Daniela A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Ulivi, Sheila A1 - Viikari, Jorma S A1 - Völker, Uwe A1 - Vollenweider, Peter A1 - Völzke, Henry A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Waldenberger, Melanie A1 - Jin Wang, Jie A1 - Yang, Qiong A1 - Chasman, Daniel I A1 - Tromp, Gerard A1 - Snieder, Harold A1 - Heid, Iris M A1 - Fox, Caroline S A1 - Köttgen, Anna A1 - Pattaro, Cristian A1 - Böger, Carsten A A1 - Fuchsberger, Christian KW - Computational Biology KW - Gene Frequency KW - Genetic Loci KW - Genome, Human KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Genotyping Techniques KW - Humans KW - Kidney KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide AB -

HapMap imputed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed >50 loci at which common variants with minor allele frequency >5% are associated with kidney function. GWAS using more complete reference sets for imputation, such as those from The 1000 Genomes project, promise to identify novel loci that have been missed by previous efforts. To investigate the value of such a more complete variant catalog, we conducted a GWAS meta-analysis of kidney function based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in 110,517 European ancestry participants using 1000 Genomes imputed data. We identified 10 novel loci with p-value < 5 × 10 previously missed by HapMap-based GWAS. Six of these loci (HOXD8, ARL15, PIK3R1, EYA4, ASTN2, and EPB41L3) are tagged by common SNPs unique to the 1000 Genomes reference panel. Using pathway analysis, we identified 39 significant (FDR < 0.05) genes and 127 significantly (FDR < 0.05) enriched gene sets, which were missed by our previous analyses. Among those, the 10 identified novel genes are part of pathways of kidney development, carbohydrate metabolism, cardiac septum development and glucose metabolism. These results highlight the utility of re-imputing from denser reference panels, until whole-genome sequencing becomes feasible in large samples.

VL - 7 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28452372?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Novel Blood Pressure Locus and Gene Discovery Using Genome-Wide Association Study and Expression Data Sets From Blood and the Kidney. JF - Hypertension Y1 - 2017 A1 - Wain, Louise V A1 - Vaez, Ahmad A1 - Jansen, Rick A1 - Joehanes, Roby A1 - van der Most, Peter J A1 - Erzurumluoglu, A Mesut A1 - O'Reilly, Paul F A1 - Cabrera, Claudia P A1 - Warren, Helen R A1 - Rose, Lynda M A1 - Verwoert, Germaine C A1 - Hottenga, Jouke-Jan A1 - Strawbridge, Rona J A1 - Esko, Tõnu A1 - Arking, Dan E A1 - Hwang, Shih-Jen A1 - Guo, Xiuqing A1 - Kutalik, Zoltán A1 - Trompet, Stella A1 - Shrine, Nick A1 - Teumer, Alexander A1 - Ried, Janina S A1 - Bis, Joshua C A1 - Smith, Albert V A1 - Amin, Najaf A1 - Nolte, Ilja M A1 - Lyytikäinen, Leo-Pekka A1 - Mahajan, Anubha A1 - Wareham, Nicholas J A1 - Hofer, Edith A1 - Joshi, Peter K A1 - Kristiansson, Kati A1 - Traglia, Michela A1 - Havulinna, Aki S A1 - Goel, Anuj A1 - Nalls, Mike A A1 - Sõber, Siim A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Luan, Jian'an A1 - del Greco M, Fabiola A1 - Ayers, Kristin L A1 - Marrugat, Jaume A1 - Ruggiero, Daniela A1 - Lopez, Lorna M A1 - Niiranen, Teemu A1 - Enroth, Stefan A1 - Jackson, Anne U A1 - Nelson, Christopher P A1 - Huffman, Jennifer E A1 - Zhang, Weihua A1 - Marten, Jonathan A1 - Gandin, Ilaria A1 - Harris, Sarah E A1 - Zemunik, Tatijana A1 - Lu, Yingchang A1 - Evangelou, Evangelos A1 - Shah, Nabi A1 - de Borst, Martin H A1 - Mangino, Massimo A1 - Prins, Bram P A1 - Campbell, Archie A1 - Li-Gao, Ruifang A1 - Chauhan, Ganesh A1 - Oldmeadow, Christopher A1 - Abecasis, Goncalo A1 - Abedi, Maryam A1 - Barbieri, Caterina M A1 - Barnes, Michael R A1 - Batini, Chiara A1 - Beilby, John A1 - Blake, Tineka A1 - Boehnke, Michael A1 - Bottinger, Erwin P A1 - Braund, Peter S A1 - Brown, Morris A1 - Brumat, Marco A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Chambers, John C A1 - Cocca, Massimiliano A1 - Collins, Francis A1 - Connell, John A1 - Cordell, Heather J A1 - Damman, Jeffrey J A1 - Davies, Gail A1 - de Geus, Eco J A1 - de Mutsert, Renée A1 - Deelen, Joris A1 - Demirkale, Yusuf A1 - Doney, Alex S F A1 - Dörr, Marcus A1 - Farrall, Martin A1 - Ferreira, Teresa A1 - Frånberg, Mattias A1 - Gao, He A1 - Giedraitis, Vilmantas A1 - Gieger, Christian A1 - Giulianini, Franco A1 - Gow, Alan J A1 - Hamsten, Anders A1 - Harris, Tamara B A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Holliday, Elizabeth G A1 - Hui, Jennie A1 - Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta A1 - Johansson, Åsa A1 - Johnson, Andrew D A1 - Jousilahti, Pekka A1 - Jula, Antti A1 - Kähönen, Mika A1 - Kathiresan, Sekar A1 - Khaw, Kay-Tee A1 - Kolcic, Ivana A1 - Koskinen, Seppo A1 - Langenberg, Claudia A1 - Larson, Marty A1 - Launer, Lenore J A1 - Lehne, Benjamin A1 - Liewald, David C M A1 - Lin, Li A1 - Lind, Lars A1 - Mach, François A1 - Mamasoula, Chrysovalanto A1 - Menni, Cristina A1 - Mifsud, Borbala A1 - Milaneschi, Yuri A1 - Morgan, Anna A1 - Morris, Andrew D A1 - Morrison, Alanna C A1 - Munson, Peter J A1 - Nandakumar, Priyanka A1 - Nguyen, Quang Tri A1 - Nutile, Teresa A1 - Oldehinkel, Albertine J A1 - Oostra, Ben A A1 - Org, Elin A1 - Padmanabhan, Sandosh A1 - Palotie, Aarno A1 - Paré, Guillaume A1 - Pattie, Alison A1 - Penninx, Brenda W J H A1 - Poulter, Neil A1 - Pramstaller, Peter P A1 - Raitakari, Olli T A1 - Ren, Meixia A1 - Rice, Kenneth A1 - Ridker, Paul M A1 - Riese, Harriëtte A1 - Ripatti, Samuli A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Rotter, Jerome I A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Saba, Yasaman A1 - Saint Pierre, Aude A1 - Sala, Cinzia F A1 - Sarin, Antti-Pekka A1 - Schmidt, Reinhold A1 - Scott, Rodney A1 - Seelen, Marc A A1 - Shields, Denis C A1 - Siscovick, David A1 - Sorice, Rossella A1 - Stanton, Alice A1 - Stott, David J A1 - Sundström, Johan A1 - Swertz, Morris A1 - Taylor, Kent D A1 - Thom, Simon A1 - Tzoulaki, Ioanna A1 - Tzourio, Christophe A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Völker, Uwe A1 - Vollenweider, Peter A1 - Wild, Sarah A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Wright, Alan F A1 - Yao, Jie A1 - Thériault, Sébastien A1 - Conen, David A1 - Attia, John A1 - Sever, Peter A1 - Debette, Stéphanie A1 - Mook-Kanamori, Dennis O A1 - Zeggini, Eleftheria A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - van der Harst, Pim A1 - Palmer, Colin N A A1 - Vergnaud, Anne-Claire A1 - Loos, Ruth J F A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Starr, John M A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Kooner, Jaspal S A1 - Lindgren, Cecila M A1 - Vitart, Veronique A1 - Samani, Nilesh J A1 - Tuomilehto, Jaakko A1 - Gyllensten, Ulf A1 - Knekt, Paul A1 - Deary, Ian J A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Elosua, Roberto A1 - Keavney, Bernard D A1 - Hicks, Andrew A A1 - Scott, Robert A A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Laan, Maris A1 - Liu, Yongmei A1 - Watkins, Hugh A1 - Hartman, Catharina A A1 - Salomaa, Veikko A1 - Toniolo, Daniela A1 - Perola, Markus A1 - Wilson, James F A1 - Schmidt, Helena A1 - Zhao, Jing Hua A1 - Lehtimäki, Terho A1 - van Duijn, Cornelia M A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - Psaty, Bruce M A1 - Peters, Annette A1 - Rettig, Rainer A1 - James, Alan A1 - Jukema, J Wouter A1 - Strachan, David P A1 - Palmas, Walter A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Ingelsson, Erik A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Franco, Oscar H A1 - Bochud, Murielle A1 - Newton-Cheh, Christopher A1 - Munroe, Patricia B A1 - Elliott, Paul A1 - Chasman, Daniel I A1 - Chakravarti, Aravinda A1 - Knight, Joanne A1 - Morris, Andrew P A1 - Levy, Daniel A1 - Tobin, Martin D A1 - Snieder, Harold A1 - Caulfield, Mark J A1 - Ehret, Georg B AB -

Elevated blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and has a substantial genetic contribution. Genetic variation influencing blood pressure has the potential to identify new pharmacological targets for the treatment of hypertension. To discover additional novel blood pressure loci, we used 1000 Genomes Project-based imputation in 150 134 European ancestry individuals and sought significant evidence for independent replication in a further 228 245 individuals. We report 6 new signals of association in or near , , , , , and , and provide new replication evidence for a further 2 signals in and Combining large whole-blood gene expression resources totaling 12 607 individuals, we investigated all novel and previously reported signals and identified 48 genes with evidence for involvement in blood pressure regulation that are significant in multiple resources. Three novel kidney-specific signals were also detected. These robustly implicated genes may provide new leads for therapeutic innovation.

U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28739976?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Genome-wide association study identifies 74 loci associated with educational attainment. JF - Nature Y1 - 2016 A1 - Okbay, Aysu A1 - Beauchamp, Jonathan P A1 - Fontana, Mark Alan A1 - Lee, James J A1 - Pers, Tune H A1 - Rietveld, Cornelius A A1 - Turley, Patrick A1 - Chen, Guo-Bo A1 - Emilsson, Valur A1 - Meddens, S Fleur W A1 - Oskarsson, Sven A1 - Pickrell, Joseph K A1 - Thom, Kevin A1 - Timshel, Pascal A1 - de Vlaming, Ronald A1 - Abdellaoui, Abdel A1 - Ahluwalia, Tarunveer S A1 - Bacelis, Jonas A1 - Baumbach, Clemens A1 - Bjornsdottir, Gyda A1 - Brandsma, Johannes H A1 - Pina Concas, Maria A1 - Derringer, Jaime A1 - Furlotte, Nicholas A A1 - Galesloot, Tessel E A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Gupta, Richa A1 - Hall, Leanne M A1 - Harris, Sarah E A1 - Hofer, Edith A1 - Horikoshi, Momoko A1 - Huffman, Jennifer E A1 - Kaasik, Kadri A1 - Kalafati, Ioanna P A1 - Karlsson, Robert A1 - Kong, Augustine A1 - Lahti, Jari A1 - van der Lee, Sven J A1 - deLeeuw, Christiaan A1 - Lind, Penelope A A1 - Lindgren, Karl-Oskar A1 - Liu, Tian A1 - Mangino, Massimo A1 - Marten, Jonathan A1 - Mihailov, Evelin A1 - Miller, Michael B A1 - van der Most, Peter J A1 - Oldmeadow, Christopher A1 - Payton, Antony A1 - Pervjakova, Natalia A1 - Peyrot, Wouter J A1 - Qian, Yong A1 - Raitakari, Olli A1 - Rueedi, Rico A1 - Salvi, Erika A1 - Schmidt, Börge A1 - Schraut, Katharina E A1 - Shi, Jianxin A1 - Smith, Albert V A1 - Poot, Raymond A A1 - St Pourcain, Beate A1 - Teumer, Alexander A1 - Thorleifsson, Gudmar A1 - Verweij, Niek A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Wellmann, Juergen A1 - Westra, Harm-Jan A1 - Yang, Jingyun A1 - Zhao, Wei A1 - Zhu, Zhihong A1 - Alizadeh, Behrooz Z A1 - Amin, Najaf A1 - Bakshi, Andrew A1 - Baumeister, Sebastian E A1 - Biino, Ginevra A1 - Bønnelykke, Klaus A1 - Boyle, Patricia A A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Cappuccio, Francesco P A1 - Davies, Gail A1 - De Neve, Jan-Emmanuel A1 - Deloukas, Panos A1 - Demuth, Ilja A1 - Ding, Jun A1 - Eibich, Peter A1 - Eisele, Lewin A1 - Eklund, Niina A1 - Evans, David M A1 - Faul, Jessica D A1 - Feitosa, Mary F A1 - Forstner, Andreas J A1 - Gandin, Ilaria A1 - Gunnarsson, Bjarni A1 - Halldórsson, Bjarni V A1 - Harris, Tamara B A1 - Heath, Andrew C A1 - Hocking, Lynne J A1 - Holliday, Elizabeth G A1 - Homuth, Georg A1 - Horan, Michael A A1 - Hottenga, Jouke-Jan A1 - de Jager, Philip L A1 - Joshi, Peter K A1 - Jugessur, Astanand A1 - Kaakinen, Marika A A1 - Kähönen, Mika A1 - Kanoni, Stavroula A1 - Keltigangas-Järvinen, Liisa A1 - Kiemeney, Lambertus A L M A1 - Kolcic, Ivana A1 - Koskinen, Seppo A1 - Kraja, Aldi T A1 - Kroh, Martin A1 - Kutalik, Zoltán A1 - Latvala, Antti A1 - Launer, Lenore J A1 - Lebreton, Maël P A1 - Levinson, Douglas F A1 - Lichtenstein, Paul A1 - Lichtner, Peter A1 - Liewald, David C M A1 - Loukola, Anu A1 - Madden, Pamela A A1 - Mägi, Reedik A1 - Mäki-Opas, Tomi A1 - Marioni, Riccardo E A1 - Marques-Vidal, Pedro A1 - Meddens, Gerardus A A1 - McMahon, George A1 - Meisinger, Christa A1 - Meitinger, Thomas A1 - Milaneschi, Yusplitri A1 - Milani, Lili A1 - Montgomery, Grant W A1 - Myhre, Ronny A1 - Nelson, Christopher P A1 - Nyholt, Dale R A1 - Ollier, William E R A1 - Palotie, Aarno A1 - Paternoster, Lavinia A1 - Pedersen, Nancy L A1 - Petrovic, Katja E A1 - Porteous, David J A1 - Räikkönen, Katri A1 - Ring, Susan M A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Rostapshova, Olga A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Rustichini, Aldo A1 - Salomaa, Veikko A1 - Sanders, Alan R A1 - Sarin, Antti-Pekka A1 - Schmidt, Helena A1 - Scott, Rodney J A1 - Smith, Blair H A1 - Smith, Jennifer A A1 - Staessen, Jan A A1 - Steinhagen-Thiessen, Elisabeth A1 - Strauch, Konstantin A1 - Terracciano, Antonio A1 - Tobin, Martin D A1 - Ulivi, Sheila A1 - Vaccargiu, Simona A1 - Quaye, Lydia A1 - van Rooij, Frank J A A1 - Venturini, Cristina A1 - Vinkhuyzen, Anna A E A1 - Völker, Uwe A1 - Völzke, Henry A1 - Vonk, Judith M A1 - Vozzi, Diego A1 - Waage, Johannes A1 - Ware, Erin B A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Attia, John R A1 - Bennett, David A A1 - Berger, Klaus A1 - Bertram, Lars A1 - Bisgaard, Hans A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Borecki, Ingrid B A1 - Bültmann, Ute A1 - Chabris, Christopher F A1 - Cucca, Francesco A1 - Cusi, Daniele A1 - Deary, Ian J A1 - Dedoussis, George V A1 - van Duijn, Cornelia M A1 - Eriksson, Johan G A1 - Franke, Barbara A1 - Franke, Lude A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Gejman, Pablo V A1 - Gieger, Christian A1 - Grabe, Hans-Jörgen A1 - Gratten, Jacob A1 - Groenen, Patrick J F A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - van der Harst, Pim A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Hinds, David A A1 - Hoffmann, Wolfgang A1 - Hyppönen, Elina A1 - Iacono, William G A1 - Jacobsson, Bo A1 - Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta A1 - Jöckel, Karl-Heinz A1 - Kaprio, Jaakko A1 - Kardia, Sharon L R A1 - Lehtimäki, Terho A1 - Lehrer, Steven F A1 - Magnusson, Patrik K E A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - McGue, Matt A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Pendleton, Neil A1 - Penninx, Brenda W J H A1 - Perola, Markus A1 - Pirastu, Nicola A1 - Pirastu, Mario A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Posthuma, Danielle A1 - Power, Christine A1 - Province, Michael A A1 - Samani, Nilesh J A1 - Schlessinger, David A1 - Schmidt, Reinhold A1 - Sørensen, Thorkild I A A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - Stefansson, Kari A1 - Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur A1 - Thurik, A Roy A1 - Timpson, Nicholas J A1 - Tiemeier, Henning A1 - Tung, Joyce Y A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Vitart, Veronique A1 - Vollenweider, Peter A1 - Weir, David R A1 - Wilson, James F A1 - Wright, Alan F A1 - Conley, Dalton C A1 - Krueger, Robert F A1 - Davey Smith, George A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Laibson, David I A1 - Medland, Sarah E A1 - Meyer, Michelle N A1 - Yang, Jian A1 - Johannesson, Magnus A1 - Visscher, Peter M A1 - Esko, Tõnu A1 - Koellinger, Philipp D A1 - Cesarini, David A1 - Benjamin, Daniel J KW - Alzheimer Disease KW - Bipolar Disorder KW - Brain KW - Cognition KW - Computational Biology KW - Educational Status KW - Fetus KW - Gene Expression Regulation KW - Gene-Environment Interaction KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Great Britain KW - Humans KW - Molecular Sequence Annotation KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Schizophrenia AB -

Educational attainment is strongly influenced by social and other environmental factors, but genetic factors are estimated to account for at least 20% of the variation across individuals. Here we report the results of a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for educational attainment that extends our earlier discovery sample of 101,069 individuals to 293,723 individuals, and a replication study in an independent sample of 111,349 individuals from the UK Biobank. We identify 74 genome-wide significant loci associated with the number of years of schooling completed. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with educational attainment are disproportionately found in genomic regions regulating gene expression in the fetal brain. Candidate genes are preferentially expressed in neural tissue, especially during the prenatal period, and enriched for biological pathways involved in neural development. Our findings demonstrate that, even for a behavioural phenotype that is mostly environmentally determined, a well-powered GWAS identifies replicable associated genetic variants that suggest biologically relevant pathways. Because educational attainment is measured in large numbers of individuals, it will continue to be useful as a proxy phenotype in efforts to characterize the genetic influences of related phenotypes, including cognition and neuropsychiatric diseases.

VL - 533 IS - 7604 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27225129?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Connexin 26 variant carriers have a better gastrointestinal health: is this the heterozygote advantage? JF - Eur J Hum Genet Y1 - 2015 A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Dallapiccola, Bruno A1 - Franzè, Annamaria A1 - Mauri, Lucia A1 - Perrone, Maria Dolores A1 - Gasparini, Paolo VL - 23 IS - 5 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25099251?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Directional dominance on stature and cognition in diverse human populations. 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O'Connor, George T A1 - Ogunniyi, Adesola A1 - Padmanabhan, Sandosh A1 - Palmas, Walter R A1 - Pankow, James S A1 - Patarcic, Inga A1 - Pavani, Francesca A1 - Peyser, Patricia A A1 - Pietilainen, Kirsi A1 - Poulter, Neil A1 - Prokopenko, Inga A1 - Ralhan, Sarju A1 - Redmond, Paul A1 - Rich, Stephen S A1 - Rissanen, Harri A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Rose, Lynda M A1 - Rose, Richard A1 - Sala, Cinzia A1 - Salako, Babatunde A1 - Salomaa, Veikko A1 - Sarin, Antti-Pekka A1 - Saxena, Richa A1 - Schmidt, Helena A1 - Scott, Laura J A1 - Scott, William R A1 - Sennblad, Bengt A1 - Seshadri, Sudha A1 - Sever, Peter A1 - Shrestha, Smeeta A1 - Smith, Blair H A1 - Smith, Jennifer A A1 - Soranzo, Nicole A1 - Sotoodehnia, Nona A1 - Southam, Lorraine A1 - Stanton, Alice V A1 - Stathopoulou, Maria G A1 - Strauch, Konstantin A1 - Strawbridge, Rona J A1 - Suderman, Matthew J A1 - Tandon, Nikhil A1 - Tang, Sian-Tsun A1 - Taylor, Kent D A1 - Tayo, Bamidele O A1 - Töglhofer, Anna Maria A1 - Tomaszewski, Maciej A1 - Tšernikova, Natalia A1 - Tuomilehto, Jaakko A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Vaidya, Dhananjay A1 - van Hylckama Vlieg, Astrid A1 - van Setten, Jessica A1 - Vasankari, Tuula A1 - Vedantam, Sailaja A1 - Vlachopoulou, Efthymia A1 - Vozzi, Diego A1 - Vuoksimaa, Eero A1 - Waldenberger, Melanie A1 - Ware, Erin B A1 - Wentworth-Shields, William A1 - Whitfield, John B A1 - Wild, Sarah A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Yajnik, Chittaranjan S A1 - Yao, Jie A1 - Zaza, Gianluigi A1 - Zhu, Xiaofeng A1 - Salem, Rany M A1 - Melbye, Mads A1 - Bisgaard, Hans A1 - Samani, Nilesh J A1 - Cusi, Daniele A1 - Mackey, David A A1 - Cooper, Richard S A1 - Froguel, Philippe A1 - Pasterkamp, Gerard A1 - Grant, Struan F A A1 - Hakonarson, Hakon A1 - Ferrucci, Luigi A1 - Scott, Robert A A1 - Morris, Andrew D A1 - Palmer, Colin N A A1 - Dedoussis, George A1 - Deloukas, Panos A1 - Bertram, Lars A1 - Lindenberger, Ulman A1 - Berndt, Sonja I A1 - Lindgren, Cecilia M A1 - Timpson, Nicholas J A1 - Tönjes, Anke A1 - Munroe, Patricia B A1 - Sørensen, Thorkild I A A1 - Rotimi, Charles N A1 - Arnett, Donna K A1 - Oldehinkel, Albertine J A1 - Kardia, Sharon L R A1 - Balkau, Beverley A1 - Gambaro, Giovanni A1 - Morris, Andrew P A1 - Eriksson, Johan G A1 - Wright, Margie J A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - Hunt, Steven C A1 - Starr, John M A1 - Deary, Ian J A1 - Griffiths, Lyn R A1 - Tiemeier, Henning A1 - Pirastu, Nicola A1 - Kaprio, Jaakko A1 - Wareham, Nicholas J A1 - Pérusse, Louis A1 - Wilson, James G A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Caulfield, Mark J A1 - Raitakari, Olli A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Gieger, Christian A1 - van der Harst, Pim A1 - Hicks, Andrew A A1 - Kraft, Peter A1 - Sinisalo, Juha A1 - Knekt, Paul A1 - Johannesson, Magnus A1 - Magnusson, Patrik K E A1 - Hamsten, Anders A1 - Schmidt, Reinhold A1 - Borecki, Ingrid B A1 - Vartiainen, Erkki A1 - Becker, Diane M A1 - Bharadwaj, Dwaipayan A1 - Mohlke, Karen L A1 - Boehnke, Michael A1 - van Duijn, Cornelia M A1 - Sanghera, Dharambir K A1 - Teumer, Alexander A1 - Zeggini, Eleftheria A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Ulivi, Sheila A1 - Ober, Carole A1 - Toniolo, Daniela A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Porteous, David J A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Dupuis, Josée A1 - Loos, Ruth J F A1 - Wright, Alan F A1 - Chandak, Giriraj R A1 - Vollenweider, Peter A1 - Shuldiner, Alan R A1 - Ridker, Paul M A1 - Rotter, Jerome I A1 - Sattar, Naveed A1 - Gyllensten, Ulf A1 - North, Kari E A1 - Pirastu, Mario A1 - Psaty, Bruce M A1 - Weir, David R A1 - Laakso, Markku A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - Takahashi, Atsushi A1 - Chambers, John C A1 - Kooner, Jaspal S A1 - Strachan, David P A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Hirschhorn, Joel N A1 - Perola, Markus A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Wilson, James F KW - Biological Evolution KW - Blood Pressure KW - Body Height KW - Cholesterol, LDL KW - Cognition KW - Cohort Studies KW - Educational Status KW - Female KW - Forced Expiratory Volume KW - Genome, Human KW - Homozygote KW - Humans KW - Lung Volume Measurements KW - Male KW - Phenotype AB -

Homozygosity has long been associated with rare, often devastating, Mendelian disorders, and Darwin was one of the first to recognize that inbreeding reduces evolutionary fitness. However, the effect of the more distant parental relatedness that is common in modern human populations is less well understood. Genomic data now allow us to investigate the effects of homozygosity on traits of public health importance by observing contiguous homozygous segments (runs of homozygosity), which are inferred to be homozygous along their complete length. Given the low levels of genome-wide homozygosity prevalent in most human populations, information is required on very large numbers of people to provide sufficient power. Here we use runs of homozygosity to study 16 health-related quantitative traits in 354,224 individuals from 102 cohorts, and find statistically significant associations between summed runs of homozygosity and four complex traits: height, forced expiratory lung volume in one second, general cognitive ability and educational attainment (P < 1 × 10(-300), 2.1 × 10(-6), 2.5 × 10(-10) and 1.8 × 10(-10), respectively). In each case, increased homozygosity was associated with decreased trait value, equivalent to the offspring of first cousins being 1.2 cm shorter and having 10 months' less education. Similar effect sizes were found across four continental groups and populations with different degrees of genome-wide homozygosity, providing evidence that homozygosity, rather than confounding, directly contributes to phenotypic variance. Contrary to earlier reports in substantially smaller samples, no evidence was seen of an influence of genome-wide homozygosity on blood pressure and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, or ten other cardio-metabolic traits. Since directional dominance is predicted for traits under directional evolutionary selection, this study provides evidence that increased stature and cognitive function have been positively selected in human evolution, whereas many important risk factors for late-onset complex diseases may not have been.

VL - 523 IS - 7561 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26131930?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Genome-wide association analysis on normal hearing function identifies PCDH20 and SLC28A3 as candidates for hearing function and loss. JF - Hum Mol Genet Y1 - 2015 A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Dawson, Sally A1 - Scheffer, Deborah I A1 - Rantanen, Taina A1 - Morgan, Anna A1 - Di Stazio, Mariateresa A1 - Vozzi, Diego A1 - Nutile, Teresa A1 - Concas, Maria P A1 - Biino, Ginevra A1 - Nolan, Lisa A1 - Bahl, Aileen A1 - Loukola, Anu A1 - Viljanen, Anne A1 - Davis, Adrian A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Corey, David P A1 - Pirastu, Mario A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Girotto, Giorgia AB -

Hearing loss and individual differences in normal hearing both have a substantial genetic basis. Although many new genes contributing to deafness have been identified, very little is known about genes/variants modulating the normal range of hearing ability. To fill this gap, we performed a two-stage meta-analysis on hearing thresholds (tested at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 kHz) and on pure-tone averages (low-, medium- and high-frequency thresholds grouped) in several isolated populations from Italy and Central Asia (total N = 2636). Here, we detected two genome-wide significant loci close to PCDH20 and SLC28A3 (top hits: rs78043697, P = 4.71E-10 and rs7032430, P = 2.39E-09, respectively). For both loci, we sought replication in two independent cohorts: B58C from the UK (N = 5892) and FITSA from Finland (N = 270). Both loci were successfully replicated at a nominal level of significance (P < 0.05). In order to confirm our quantitative findings, we carried out RT-PCR and reported RNA-Seq data, which showed that both genes are expressed in mouse inner ear, especially in hair cells, further suggesting them as good candidates for modulatory genes in the auditory system. Sequencing data revealed no functional variants in the coding region of PCDH20 or SLC28A3, suggesting that variation in regulatory sequences may affect expression. Overall, these results contribute to a better understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying human hearing function.

VL - 24 IS - 19 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26188009?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Large-scale genomic analyses link reproductive aging to hypothalamic signaling, breast cancer susceptibility and BRCA1-mediated DNA repair. JF - Nat Genet Y1 - 2015 A1 - Day, Felix R A1 - Ruth, Katherine S A1 - Thompson, Deborah J A1 - Lunetta, Kathryn L A1 - Pervjakova, Natalia A1 - Chasman, Daniel I A1 - Stolk, Lisette A1 - Finucane, Hilary K A1 - Sulem, Patrick A1 - Bulik-Sullivan, Brendan A1 - Esko, Tõnu A1 - Johnson, Andrew D A1 - Elks, Cathy E A1 - Franceschini, Nora A1 - He, Chunyan A1 - Altmaier, Elisabeth A1 - Brody, Jennifer A A1 - Franke, Lude L A1 - Huffman, Jennifer E A1 - Keller, Margaux F A1 - McArdle, Patrick F A1 - Nutile, Teresa A1 - Porcu, Eleonora A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Rose, Lynda M A1 - Schick, Ursula M A1 - Smith, Jennifer A A1 - Teumer, Alexander A1 - Traglia, Michela A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Yao, Jie A1 - Zhao, Wei A1 - Albrecht, Eva A1 - Amin, Najaf A1 - Corre, Tanguy A1 - Hottenga, Jouke-Jan A1 - Mangino, Massimo A1 - Smith, Albert V A1 - Tanaka, Toshiko A1 - Abecasis, Goncalo R A1 - Andrulis, Irene L A1 - Anton-Culver, Hoda A1 - Antoniou, Antonis C A1 - Arndt, Volker A1 - Arnold, Alice M A1 - Barbieri, Caterina A1 - Beckmann, Matthias W A1 - Beeghly-Fadiel, Alicia A1 - Benitez, Javier A1 - Bernstein, Leslie A1 - Bielinski, Suzette J A1 - Blomqvist, Carl A1 - Boerwinkle, Eric A1 - Bogdanova, Natalia V A1 - Bojesen, Stig E A1 - Bolla, Manjeet K A1 - Borresen-Dale, Anne-Lise A1 - Boutin, Thibaud S A1 - Brauch, Hiltrud A1 - Brenner, Hermann A1 - Brüning, Thomas A1 - Burwinkel, Barbara A1 - Campbell, Archie A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Chanock, Stephen J A1 - Chapman, J Ross A1 - Chen, Yii-Der Ida A1 - Chenevix-Trench, Georgia A1 - Couch, Fergus J A1 - Coviello, Andrea D A1 - Cox, Angela A1 - Czene, Kamila A1 - Darabi, Hatef A1 - De Vivo, Immaculata A1 - Demerath, Ellen W A1 - Dennis, Joe A1 - Devilee, Peter A1 - Dörk, Thilo A1 - Dos-Santos-Silva, Isabel A1 - Dunning, Alison M A1 - Eicher, John D A1 - Fasching, Peter A A1 - Faul, Jessica D A1 - Figueroa, Jonine A1 - Flesch-Janys, Dieter A1 - Gandin, Ilaria A1 - Garcia, Melissa E A1 - García-Closas, Montserrat A1 - Giles, Graham G A1 - Girotto, Giorgia G A1 - Goldberg, Mark S A1 - González-Neira, Anna A1 - Goodarzi, Mark O A1 - Grove, Megan L A1 - Gudbjartsson, Daniel F A1 - Guenel, Pascal A1 - Guo, Xiuqing A1 - Haiman, Christopher A A1 - Hall, Per A1 - Hamann, Ute A1 - Henderson, Brian E A1 - Hocking, Lynne J A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Homuth, Georg A1 - Hooning, Maartje J A1 - Hopper, John L A1 - Hu, Frank B A1 - Huang, Jinyan A1 - Humphreys, Keith A1 - Hunter, David J A1 - Jakubowska, Anna A1 - Jones, Samuel E A1 - Kabisch, Maria A1 - Karasik, David A1 - Knight, Julia A A1 - Kolcic, Ivana A1 - Kooperberg, Charles A1 - Kosma, Veli-Matti A1 - Kriebel, Jennifer A1 - Kristensen, Vessela A1 - Lambrechts, Diether A1 - Langenberg, Claudia A1 - Li, Jingmei A1 - Li, Xin A1 - Lindström, Sara A1 - Liu, Yongmei A1 - Luan, Jian'an A1 - Lubinski, Jan A1 - Mägi, Reedik A1 - Mannermaa, Arto A1 - Manz, Judith A1 - Margolin, Sara A1 - Marten, Jonathan A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - Masciullo, Corrado A1 - Meindl, Alfons A1 - Michailidou, Kyriaki A1 - Mihailov, Evelin A1 - Milani, Lili A1 - Milne, Roger L A1 - Müller-Nurasyid, Martina A1 - Nalls, Michael A1 - Neale, Benjamin M A1 - Nevanlinna, Heli A1 - Neven, Patrick A1 - Newman, Anne B A1 - Nordestgaard, Børge G A1 - Olson, Janet E A1 - Padmanabhan, Sandosh A1 - Peterlongo, Paolo A1 - Peters, Ulrike A1 - Petersmann, Astrid A1 - Peto, Julian A1 - Pharoah, Paul D P A1 - Pirastu, Nicola N A1 - Pirie, Ailith A1 - Pistis, Giorgio A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Porteous, David A1 - Psaty, Bruce M A1 - Pylkäs, Katri A1 - Radice, Paolo A1 - Raffel, Leslie J A1 - Rivadeneira, Fernando A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Rudolph, Anja A1 - Ruggiero, Daniela A1 - Sala, Cinzia F A1 - Sanna, Serena A1 - Sawyer, Elinor J A1 - Schlessinger, David A1 - Schmidt, Marjanka K A1 - Schmidt, Frank A1 - Schmutzler, Rita K A1 - Schoemaker, Minouk J A1 - Scott, Robert A A1 - Seynaeve, Caroline M A1 - Simard, Jacques A1 - Sorice, Rossella A1 - Southey, Melissa C A1 - Stöckl, Doris A1 - Strauch, Konstantin A1 - Swerdlow, Anthony A1 - Taylor, Kent D A1 - Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur A1 - Toland, Amanda E A1 - Tomlinson, Ian A1 - Truong, Therese A1 - Tryggvadottir, Laufey A1 - Turner, Stephen T A1 - Vozzi, Diego A1 - Wang, Qin A1 - Wellons, Melissa A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Wilson, James F A1 - Winqvist, Robert A1 - Wolffenbuttel, Bruce B H R A1 - Wright, Alan F A1 - Yannoukakos, Drakoulis A1 - Zemunik, Tatijana A1 - Zheng, Wei A1 - Zygmunt, Marek A1 - Bergmann, Sven A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Buring, Julie E A1 - Ferrucci, Luigi A1 - Montgomery, Grant W A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - van Duijn, Cornelia M A1 - Alizadeh, Behrooz Z A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Crisponi, Laura A1 - Easton, Douglas F A1 - Gasparini, Paolo P A1 - Gieger, Christian A1 - Harris, Tamara B A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Kardia, Sharon L R A1 - Kraft, Peter A1 - McKnight, Barbara A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Morrison, Alanna C A1 - Reiner, Alex P A1 - Ridker, Paul M A1 - Rotter, Jerome I A1 - Toniolo, Daniela A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Ulivi, Sheila A1 - Völzke, Henry A1 - Wareham, Nicholas J A1 - Weir, David R A1 - Yerges-Armstrong, Laura M A1 - Price, Alkes L A1 - Stefansson, Kari A1 - Visser, Jenny A A1 - Ong, Ken K A1 - Chang-Claude, Jenny A1 - Murabito, Joanne M A1 - Perry, John R B A1 - Murray, Anna AB -

Menopause timing has a substantial impact on infertility and risk of disease, including breast cancer, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We report a dual strategy in ∼70,000 women to identify common and low-frequency protein-coding variation associated with age at natural menopause (ANM). We identified 44 regions with common variants, including two regions harboring additional rare missense alleles of large effect. We found enrichment of signals in or near genes involved in delayed puberty, highlighting the first molecular links between the onset and end of reproductive lifespan. Pathway analyses identified major association with DNA damage response (DDR) genes, including the first common coding variant in BRCA1 associated with any complex trait. Mendelian randomization analyses supported a causal effect of later ANM on breast cancer risk (∼6% increase in risk per year; P = 3 × 10(-14)), likely mediated by prolonged sex hormone exposure rather than DDR mechanisms.

VL - 47 IS - 11 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26414677?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Common variants in UMOD associate with urinary uromodulin levels: a meta-analysis. JF - J Am Soc Nephrol Y1 - 2014 A1 - Olden, Matthias A1 - Corre, Tanguy A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Toniolo, Daniela A1 - Ulivi, Sheila A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Pistis, Giorgio A1 - Hwang, Shih-Jen A1 - Bergmann, Sven A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Cocca, Massimiliano A1 - Gandin, Ilaria A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Glaudemans, Bob A1 - Hastie, Nicholas D A1 - Loffing, Johannes A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Rampoldi, Luca A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Sala, Cinzia A1 - Traglia, Michela A1 - Vollenweider, Peter A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Youhanna, Sonia A1 - Weber, Julien A1 - Wright, Alan F A1 - Kutalik, Zoltán A1 - Bochud, Murielle A1 - Fox, Caroline S A1 - Devuyst, Olivier KW - Creatinine KW - European Continental Ancestry Group KW - Genetic Variation KW - Humans KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Uromodulin AB -

Uromodulin is expressed exclusively in the thick ascending limb and is the most abundant protein excreted in normal urine. Variants in UMOD, which encodes uromodulin, are associated with renal function, and urinary uromodulin levels may be a biomarker for kidney disease. However, the genetic factors regulating uromodulin excretion are unknown. We conducted a meta-analysis of urinary uromodulin levels to identify associated common genetic variants in the general population. We included 10,884 individuals of European descent from three genetic isolates and three urban cohorts. Each study measured uromodulin indexed to creatinine and conducted linear regression analysis of approximately 2.5 million single nucleotide polymorphisms using an additive model. We also tested whether variants in genes expressed in the thick ascending limb associate with uromodulin levels. rs12917707, located near UMOD and previously associated with renal function and CKD, had the strongest association with urinary uromodulin levels (P<0.001). In all cohorts, carriers of a G allele of this variant had higher uromodulin levels than noncarriers did (geometric means 10.24, 14.05, and 17.67 μg/g creatinine for zero, one, or two copies of the G allele). rs12446492 in the adjacent gene PDILT (protein disulfide isomerase-like, testis expressed) also reached genome-wide significance (P<0.001). Regarding genes expressed in the thick ascending limb, variants in KCNJ1, SORL1, and CAB39 associated with urinary uromodulin levels. These data indicate that common variants in the UMOD promoter region may influence urinary uromodulin levels. They also provide insights into uromodulin biology and the association of UMOD variants with renal function.

VL - 25 IS - 8 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24578125?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Consanguinity and hereditary hearing loss in Qatar. JF - Hum Hered Y1 - 2014 A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Mezzavilla, Massimo A1 - Abdulhadi, Khalid A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Vozzi, Diego A1 - Khalifa Alkowari, Moza A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Badii, Ramin KW - Consanguinity KW - Hearing Loss KW - Homozygote KW - Humans KW - Inheritance Patterns KW - Pedigree KW - Prevalence KW - Principal Component Analysis KW - Qatar KW - Transcription Factor TFIIIB AB -

Qatar is a sovereign state located on the Eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in the Persian Gulf. Its native population consists of 3 major subgroups: people of Arabian origin or Bedouins, those from an Eastern or Persian ancestry and individuals with African admixture. Historically, all types of consanguineous marriages have been and still are common in the Qatari population, particularly among first and double-first cousins. Thus, there is a higher risk for most inherited diseases including hereditary hearing loss (HHL). In particular, a hearing loss prevalence of 5.2% has been reported in Qatar, with parental consanguinity being more common among affected individuals as compared with unaffected ones. Our recent molecular results confirm a high homogeneity and level of inbreeding in Qatari HHL patients. Among all HHL genes, GJB2, the major player worldwide, accounts for a minor proportion of cases and at least 3 additional genes have been found to be mutated in Qatari patients. Interestingly, one gene, BDP1, has been described to cause HHL only in this country. These results point towards an unexpected level of genetic heterogeneity despite the high level of inbreeding. This review provides an up-to-date picture of HHL in Qatar and of the impact of consanguinity on this disease.

VL - 77 IS - 1-4 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25060281?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Expression and replication studies to identify new candidate genes involved in normal hearing function. JF - PLoS One Y1 - 2014 A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Buniello, Annalisa A1 - Lorente-Cánovas, Beatriz A1 - Lewis, Morag A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Steel, Karen P KW - Adult KW - Animals KW - DNA Replication KW - Gene Expression Profiling KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Genotype KW - Hair Cells, Auditory KW - Hearing KW - Humans KW - Mice KW - Phenotype KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Stria Vascularis AB -

Considerable progress has been made in identifying deafness genes, but still little is known about the genetic basis of normal variation in hearing function. We recently carried out a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) of quantitative hearing traits in southern European populations and found several SNPs with suggestive but none with significant association. In the current study, we followed up these SNPs to investigate which of them might show a genuine association with auditory function using alternative approaches. Firstly, we generated a shortlist of 19 genes from the published GWAS results. Secondly, we carried out immunocytochemistry to examine expression of these 19 genes in the mouse inner ear. Twelve of them showed distinctive cochlear expression patterns. Four showed expression restricted to sensory hair cells (Csmd1, Arsg, Slc16a6 and Gabrg3), one only in marginal cells of the stria vascularis (Dclk1) while the others (Ptprd, Grm8, GlyBP, Evi5, Rimbp2, Ank2, Cdh13) in multiple cochlear cell types. In the third step, we tested these 12 genes for replication of association in an independent set of samples from the Caucasus and Central Asia. Nine out of them showed nominally significant association (p<0.05). In particular, 4 were replicated at the same SNP and with the same effect direction while the remaining 5 showed a significant association in a gene-based test. Finally, to look for genotype-phenotype relationship, the audiometric profiles of the three genotypes of the most strongly associated gene variants were analyzed. Seven out of the 9 replicated genes (CDH13, GRM8, ANK2, SLC16A6, ARSG, RIMBP2 and DCLK1) showed an audiometric pattern with differences between different genotypes further supporting their role in hearing function. These data demonstrate the usefulness of this multistep approach in providing new insights into the molecular basis of hearing and may suggest new targets for treatment and prevention of hearing impairment.

VL - 9 IS - 1 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24454846?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Salt-inducible kinase 3, SIK3, is a new gene associated with hearing. JF - Hum Mol Genet Y1 - 2014 A1 - Wolber, Lisa E A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Buniello, Annalisa A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Pirastu, Nicola A1 - Lorente-Cánovas, Beatriz A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Mangino, Massimo A1 - Steves, Claire A1 - Concas, Maria Pina A1 - Cocca, Massilimiliano A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Steel, Karen P A1 - Williams, Frances M K KW - Age Factors KW - Animals KW - Cochlea KW - European Continental Ancestry Group KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Hearing KW - Humans KW - Mice, Inbred C57BL KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Protein Kinases AB -

Hearing function is known to be heritable, but few significant and reproducible associations of genetic variants have been identified to date in the adult population. In this study, genome-wide association results of hearing function from the G-EAR consortium and TwinsUK were used for meta-analysis. Hearing ability in eight population samples of Northern and Southern European ancestry (n = 4591) and the Silk Road (n = 348) was measured using pure-tone audiometry and summarized using principal component (PC) analysis. Genome-wide association analyses for PC1-3 were conducted separately in each sample assuming an additive model adjusted for age, sex and relatedness of subjects. Meta-analysis was performed using 2.3 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tested against each of the three PCs of hearing ability in 4939 individuals. A single SNP lying in intron 6 of the salt-inducible kinase 3 (SIK3) gene was found to be associated with hearing PC2 (P = 3.7×10(-8)) and further supported by whole-genome sequence in a subset. To determine the relevance of this gene in the ear, expression of the Sik3 protein was studied in mouse cochlea of different ages. Sik3 was expressed in murine hair cells during early development and in cells of the spiral ganglion during early development and adulthood. Our results suggest a developmental role of Sik3 in hearing and may be required for the maintenance of adult auditory function.

VL - 23 IS - 23 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25060954?dopt=Abstract ER -