TY - JOUR T1 - Genomic analyses identify hundreds of variants associated with age at menarche and support a role for puberty timing in cancer risk. JF - Nat Genet Y1 - 2017 A1 - Day, Felix R A1 - Thompson, Deborah J A1 - Helgason, Hannes A1 - Chasman, Daniel I A1 - Finucane, Hilary A1 - Sulem, Patrick A1 - Ruth, Katherine S A1 - Whalen, Sean A1 - Sarkar, Abhishek K A1 - Albrecht, Eva A1 - Altmaier, Elisabeth A1 - Amini, Marzyeh A1 - Barbieri, Caterina M A1 - Boutin, Thibaud A1 - Campbell, Archie A1 - Demerath, Ellen A1 - Giri, Ayush A1 - He, Chunyan A1 - Hottenga, Jouke J A1 - Karlsson, Robert A1 - Kolcic, Ivana A1 - Loh, Po-Ru A1 - Lunetta, Kathryn L A1 - Mangino, Massimo A1 - Marco, Brumat A1 - McMahon, George A1 - Medland, Sarah E A1 - Nolte, Ilja M A1 - Noordam, Raymond A1 - Nutile, Teresa A1 - Paternoster, Lavinia A1 - Perjakova, Natalia A1 - Porcu, Eleonora A1 - Rose, Lynda M A1 - Schraut, Katharina E A1 - Segrè, Ayellet V A1 - Smith, Albert V A1 - Stolk, Lisette A1 - Teumer, Alexander A1 - Andrulis, Irene L A1 - Bandinelli, Stefania A1 - Beckmann, Matthias W A1 - Benitez, Javier A1 - Bergmann, Sven A1 - Bochud, Murielle A1 - Boerwinkle, Eric A1 - Bojesen, Stig E A1 - Bolla, Manjeet K A1 - Brand, Judith S A1 - Brauch, Hiltrud A1 - Brenner, Hermann A1 - Broer, Linda A1 - Brüning, Thomas A1 - Buring, Julie E A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Catamo, Eulalia A1 - Chanock, Stephen A1 - Chenevix-Trench, Georgia A1 - Corre, Tanguy A1 - Couch, Fergus J A1 - Cousminer, Diana L A1 - Cox, Angela A1 - Crisponi, Laura A1 - Czene, Kamila A1 - Davey Smith, George A1 - de Geus, Eco J C N A1 - de Mutsert, Renée A1 - De Vivo, Immaculata A1 - Dennis, Joe A1 - Devilee, Peter A1 - Dos-Santos-Silva, Isabel A1 - Dunning, Alison M A1 - Eriksson, Johan G A1 - Fasching, Peter A A1 - Fernández-Rhodes, Lindsay A1 - Ferrucci, Luigi A1 - Flesch-Janys, Dieter A1 - Franke, Lude A1 - Gabrielson, Marike A1 - Gandin, Ilaria A1 - Giles, Graham G A1 - Grallert, Harald A1 - Gudbjartsson, Daniel F A1 - Guenel, Pascal A1 - Hall, Per A1 - Hallberg, Emily A1 - Hamann, Ute A1 - Harris, Tamara B A1 - Hartman, Catharina A A1 - Heiss, Gerardo A1 - Hooning, Maartje J A1 - Hopper, John L A1 - Hu, Frank A1 - Hunter, David J A1 - Ikram, M Arfan A1 - Im, Hae Kyung A1 - Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta A1 - Joshi, Peter K A1 - Karasik, David A1 - Kellis, Manolis A1 - Kutalik, Zoltán A1 - LaChance, Genevieve A1 - Lambrechts, Diether A1 - Langenberg, Claudia A1 - Launer, Lenore J A1 - Laven, Joop S E A1 - Lenarduzzi, Stefania A1 - Li, Jingmei A1 - Lind, Penelope A A1 - Lindström, Sara A1 - Liu, Yongmei A1 - Luan, Jian'an A1 - Mägi, Reedik A1 - Mannermaa, Arto A1 - Mbarek, Hamdi A1 - McCarthy, Mark I A1 - Meisinger, Christa A1 - Meitinger, Thomas A1 - Menni, Cristina A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Michailidou, Kyriaki A1 - Milani, Lili A1 - Milne, Roger L A1 - Montgomery, Grant W A1 - Mulligan, Anna M A1 - Nalls, Mike A A1 - Navarro, Pau A1 - Nevanlinna, Heli A1 - Nyholt, Dale R A1 - Oldehinkel, Albertine J A1 - O'Mara, Tracy A A1 - Padmanabhan, Sandosh A1 - Palotie, Aarno A1 - Pedersen, Nancy A1 - Peters, Annette A1 - Peto, Julian A1 - Pharoah, Paul D P A1 - Pouta, Anneli A1 - Radice, Paolo A1 - Rahman, Iffat A1 - Ring, Susan M A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Rosendaal, Frits R A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Rueedi, Rico A1 - Ruggiero, Daniela A1 - Sala, Cinzia F A1 - Schmidt, Marjanka K A1 - Scott, Robert A A1 - Shah, Mitul A1 - Sorice, Rossella A1 - Southey, Melissa C A1 - Sovio, Ulla A1 - Stampfer, Meir A1 - Steri, Maristella A1 - Strauch, Konstantin A1 - Tanaka, Toshiko A1 - Tikkanen, Emmi A1 - Timpson, Nicholas J A1 - Traglia, Michela A1 - Truong, Therese A1 - Tyrer, Jonathan P A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Edwards, Digna R Velez A1 - Vitart, Veronique A1 - Völker, Uwe A1 - Vollenweider, Peter A1 - Wang, Qin A1 - Widen, Elisabeth A1 - van Dijk, Ko Willems A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Winqvist, Robert A1 - Wolffenbuttel, Bruce H R A1 - Zhao, Jing Hua A1 - Zoledziewska, Magdalena A1 - Zygmunt, Marek A1 - Alizadeh, Behrooz Z A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Cucca, Francesco A1 - Esko, Tõnu A1 - Franceschini, Nora A1 - Gieger, Christian A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Kraft, Peter A1 - Lawlor, Debbie A A1 - Magnusson, Patrik K E A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - Mook-Kanamori, Dennis O A1 - Nohr, Ellen A A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Porteous, David A1 - Price, Alkes L A1 - Ridker, Paul M A1 - Snieder, Harold A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - Stöckl, Doris A1 - Toniolo, Daniela A1 - Ulivi, Sheila A1 - Visser, Jenny A A1 - Völzke, Henry A1 - Wareham, Nicholas J A1 - Wilson, James F A1 - Spurdle, Amanda B A1 - Thorsteindottir, Unnur A1 - Pollard, Katherine S A1 - Easton, Douglas F A1 - Tung, Joyce Y A1 - Chang-Claude, Jenny A1 - Hinds, David A1 - Murray, Anna A1 - Murabito, Joanne M A1 - Stefansson, Kari A1 - Ong, Ken K A1 - Perry, John R B KW - Adolescent KW - Age Factors KW - Body Mass Index KW - Databases, Genetic KW - Female KW - Genetic Predisposition to Disease KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Genomic Imprinting KW - Humans KW - Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins KW - Male KW - Membrane Proteins KW - Menarche KW - Neoplasms KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Puberty KW - Quantitative Trait Loci KW - Ribonucleoproteins KW - Risk Factors AB -

The timing of puberty is a highly polygenic childhood trait that is epidemiologically associated with various adult diseases. Using 1000 Genomes Project-imputed genotype data in up to ∼370,000 women, we identify 389 independent signals (P < 5 × 10) for age at menarche, a milestone in female pubertal development. In Icelandic data, these signals explain ∼7.4% of the population variance in age at menarche, corresponding to ∼25% of the estimated heritability. We implicate ∼250 genes via coding variation or associated expression, demonstrating significant enrichment in neural tissues. Rare variants near the imprinted genes MKRN3 and DLK1 were identified, exhibiting large effects when paternally inherited. Mendelian randomization analyses suggest causal inverse associations, independent of body mass index (BMI), between puberty timing and risks for breast and endometrial cancers in women and prostate cancer in men. In aggregate, our findings highlight the complexity of the genetic regulation of puberty timing and support causal links with cancer susceptibility.

VL - 49 IS - 6 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28436984?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Genome-wide association study of sexual maturation in males and females highlights a role for body mass and menarche loci in male puberty. JF - Hum Mol Genet Y1 - 2014 A1 - Cousminer, Diana L A1 - Stergiakouli, Evangelia A1 - Berry, Diane J A1 - Ang, Wei A1 - Groen-Blokhuis, Maria M A1 - Körner, Antje A1 - Siitonen, Niina A1 - Ntalla, Ioanna A1 - Marinelli, Marcella A1 - Perry, John R B A1 - Kettunen, Johannes A1 - Jansen, Rick A1 - Surakka, Ida A1 - Timpson, Nicholas J A1 - Ring, Susan A1 - McMahon, George A1 - Power, Chris A1 - Wang, Carol A1 - Kähönen, Mika A1 - Viikari, Jorma A1 - Lehtimäki, Terho A1 - Middeldorp, Christel M A1 - Hulshoff Pol, Hilleke E A1 - Neef, Madlen A1 - Weise, Sebastian A1 - Pahkala, Katja A1 - Niinikoski, Harri A1 - Zeggini, Eleftheria A1 - Panoutsopoulou, Kalliope A1 - Bustamante, Mariona A1 - Penninx, Brenda W J H A1 - Murabito, Joanne A1 - Torrent, Maties A1 - Dedoussis, George V A1 - Kiess, Wieland A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Pennell, Craig E A1 - Raitakari, Olli T A1 - Hyppönen, Elina A1 - Davey Smith, George A1 - Ripatti, Samuli A1 - McCarthy, Mark I A1 - Widen, Elisabeth AB -

Little is known about genes regulating male puberty. Further, while many identified pubertal timing variants associate with age at menarche, a late manifestation of puberty, and body mass, little is known about these variants' relationship to pubertal initiation or tempo. To address these questions, we performed genome-wide association meta-analysis in over 11 000 European samples with data on early pubertal traits, male genital and female breast development, measured by the Tanner scale. We report the first genome-wide significant locus for male sexual development upstream of myocardin-like 2 (MKL2) (P = 8.9 × 10(-9)), a menarche locus tagging a developmental pathway linking earlier puberty with reduced pubertal growth (P = 4.6 × 10(-5)) and short adult stature (p = 7.5 × 10(-6)) in both males and females. Furthermore, our results indicate that a proportion of menarche loci are important for pubertal initiation in both sexes. Consistent with epidemiological correlations between increased prepubertal body mass and earlier pubertal timing in girls, body mass index (BMI)-increasing alleles correlated with earlier breast development. In boys, some BMI-increasing alleles associated with earlier, and others with delayed, sexual development; these genetic results mimic the controversy in epidemiological studies, some of which show opposing correlations between prepubertal BMI and male puberty. Our results contribute to our understanding of the pubertal initiation program in both sexes and indicate that although mechanisms regulating pubertal onset in males and females may largely be shared, the relationship between body mass and pubertal timing in boys may be complex and requires further genetic studies.

VL - 23 IS - 16 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24770850?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Parent-of-origin-specific allelic associations among 106 genomic loci for age at menarche. JF - Nature Y1 - 2014 A1 - Perry, John R B A1 - Day, Felix A1 - Elks, Cathy E A1 - Sulem, Patrick A1 - Thompson, Deborah J A1 - Ferreira, Teresa A1 - He, Chunyan A1 - Chasman, Daniel I A1 - Esko, Tõnu A1 - Thorleifsson, Gudmar A1 - Albrecht, Eva A1 - Ang, Wei Q A1 - Corre, Tanguy A1 - Cousminer, Diana L A1 - Feenstra, Bjarke A1 - Franceschini, Nora A1 - Ganna, Andrea A1 - Johnson, Andrew D A1 - Kjellqvist, Sanela A1 - Lunetta, Kathryn L A1 - McMahon, George A1 - Nolte, Ilja M A1 - Paternoster, Lavinia A1 - Porcu, Eleonora A1 - Smith, Albert V A1 - Stolk, Lisette A1 - Teumer, Alexander A1 - Tšernikova, Natalia A1 - Tikkanen, Emmi A1 - Ulivi, Sheila A1 - Wagner, Erin K A1 - Amin, Najaf A1 - Bierut, Laura J A1 - Byrne, Enda M A1 - Hottenga, Jouke-Jan A1 - Koller, Daniel L A1 - Mangino, Massimo A1 - Pers, Tune H A1 - Yerges-Armstrong, Laura M A1 - Hua Zhao, Jing A1 - Andrulis, Irene L A1 - Anton-Culver, Hoda A1 - Atsma, Femke A1 - Bandinelli, Stefania A1 - Beckmann, Matthias W A1 - Benitez, Javier A1 - Blomqvist, Carl A1 - Bojesen, Stig E A1 - Bolla, Manjeet K A1 - Bonanni, Bernardo A1 - Brauch, Hiltrud A1 - Brenner, Hermann A1 - Buring, Julie E A1 - Chang-Claude, Jenny A1 - Chanock, Stephen A1 - Chen, Jinhui A1 - Chenevix-Trench, Georgia A1 - Collée, J Margriet A1 - Couch, Fergus J A1 - Couper, David A1 - Coviello, Andrea D A1 - Cox, Angela A1 - Czene, Kamila A1 - d'Adamo, Adamo Pio A1 - Davey Smith, George A1 - De Vivo, Immaculata A1 - Demerath, Ellen W A1 - Dennis, Joe A1 - Devilee, Peter A1 - Dieffenbach, Aida K A1 - Dunning, Alison M A1 - Eiriksdottir, Gudny A1 - Eriksson, Johan G A1 - Fasching, Peter A A1 - Ferrucci, Luigi A1 - Flesch-Janys, Dieter A1 - Flyger, Henrik A1 - Foroud, Tatiana A1 - Franke, Lude A1 - Garcia, Melissa E A1 - García-Closas, Montserrat A1 - Geller, Frank A1 - de Geus, Eco E J A1 - Giles, Graham G A1 - Gudbjartsson, Daniel F A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - Guenel, Pascal A1 - Guo, Suiqun A1 - Hall, Per A1 - Hamann, Ute A1 - Haring, Robin A1 - Hartman, Catharina A A1 - Heath, Andrew C A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Hooning, Maartje J A1 - Hopper, John L A1 - Hu, Frank B A1 - Hunter, David J A1 - Karasik, David A1 - Kiel, Douglas P A1 - Knight, Julia A A1 - Kosma, Veli-Matti A1 - Kutalik, Zoltán A1 - Lai, Sandra A1 - Lambrechts, Diether A1 - Lindblom, Annika A1 - Mägi, Reedik A1 - Magnusson, Patrik K A1 - Mannermaa, Arto A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - Masson, Gisli A1 - McArdle, Patrick F A1 - McArdle, Wendy L A1 - Melbye, Mads A1 - Michailidou, Kyriaki A1 - Mihailov, Evelin A1 - Milani, Lili A1 - Milne, Roger L A1 - Nevanlinna, Heli A1 - Neven, Patrick A1 - Nohr, Ellen A A1 - Oldehinkel, Albertine J A1 - Oostra, Ben A A1 - Palotie, Aarno A1 - Peacock, Munro A1 - Pedersen, Nancy L A1 - Peterlongo, Paolo A1 - Peto, Julian A1 - Pharoah, Paul D P A1 - Postma, Dirkje S A1 - Pouta, Anneli A1 - Pylkäs, Katri A1 - Radice, Paolo A1 - Ring, Susan A1 - Rivadeneira, Fernando A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Rose, Lynda M A1 - Rudolph, Anja A1 - Salomaa, Veikko A1 - Sanna, Serena A1 - Schlessinger, David A1 - Schmidt, Marjanka K A1 - Southey, Mellissa C A1 - Sovio, Ulla A1 - Stampfer, Meir J A1 - Stöckl, Doris A1 - Storniolo, Anna M A1 - Timpson, Nicholas J A1 - Tyrer, Jonathan A1 - Visser, Jenny A A1 - Vollenweider, Peter A1 - Völzke, Henry A1 - Waeber, Gerard A1 - Waldenberger, Melanie A1 - Wallaschofski, Henri A1 - Wang, Qin A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Winqvist, Robert A1 - Wolffenbuttel, Bruce H R A1 - Wright, Margaret J A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Econs, Michael J A1 - Khaw, Kay-Tee A1 - Loos, Ruth J F A1 - McCarthy, Mark I A1 - Montgomery, Grant W A1 - Rice, John P A1 - Streeten, Elizabeth A A1 - Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur A1 - van Duijn, Cornelia M A1 - Alizadeh, Behrooz Z A1 - Bergmann, Sven A1 - Boerwinkle, Eric A1 - Boyd, Heather A A1 - Crisponi, Laura A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Gieger, Christian A1 - Harris, Tamara B A1 - Ingelsson, Erik A1 - Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta A1 - Kraft, Peter A1 - Lawlor, Debbie A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Pennell, Craig E A1 - Ridker, Paul M A1 - Snieder, Harold A1 - Sørensen, Thorkild I A A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - Strachan, David P A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Wareham, Nicholas J A1 - Widen, Elisabeth A1 - Zygmunt, Marek A1 - Murray, Anna A1 - Easton, Douglas F A1 - Stefansson, Kari A1 - Murabito, Joanne M A1 - Ong, Ken K KW - Adolescent KW - Age Factors KW - Alleles KW - Body Mass Index KW - Breast Neoplasms KW - Cardiovascular Diseases KW - Child KW - Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 KW - Europe KW - Female KW - Genetic Loci KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Genomic Imprinting KW - Humans KW - Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System KW - Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins KW - Male KW - Membrane Proteins KW - Menarche KW - Obesity KW - Ovary KW - Parents KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain KW - Proteins KW - Quantitative Trait Loci KW - Receptors, GABA-B KW - Receptors, Retinoic Acid KW - Ribonucleoproteins AB -

Age at menarche is a marker of timing of puberty in females. It varies widely between individuals, is a heritable trait and is associated with risks for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and all-cause mortality. Studies of rare human disorders of puberty and animal models point to a complex hypothalamic-pituitary-hormonal regulation, but the mechanisms that determine pubertal timing and underlie its links to disease risk remain unclear. Here, using genome-wide and custom-genotyping arrays in up to 182,416 women of European descent from 57 studies, we found robust evidence (P < 5 × 10(-8)) for 123 signals at 106 genomic loci associated with age at menarche. Many loci were associated with other pubertal traits in both sexes, and there was substantial overlap with genes implicated in body mass index and various diseases, including rare disorders of puberty. Menarche signals were enriched in imprinted regions, with three loci (DLK1-WDR25, MKRN3-MAGEL2 and KCNK9) demonstrating parent-of-origin-specific associations concordant with known parental expression patterns. Pathway analyses implicated nuclear hormone receptors, particularly retinoic acid and γ-aminobutyric acid-B2 receptor signalling, among novel mechanisms that regulate pubertal timing in humans. Our findings suggest a genetic architecture involving at least hundreds of common variants in the coordinated timing of the pubertal transition.

VL - 514 IS - 7520 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25231870?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Evidence of inbreeding depression on human height. JF - PLoS Genet Y1 - 2012 A1 - McQuillan, Ruth A1 - Eklund, Niina A1 - Pirastu, Nicola A1 - Kuningas, Maris A1 - McEvoy, Brian P A1 - Esko, Tõnu A1 - Corre, Tanguy A1 - Davies, Gail A1 - Kaakinen, Marika A1 - Lyytikäinen, Leo-Pekka A1 - Kristiansson, Kati A1 - Havulinna, Aki S A1 - Gögele, Martin A1 - Vitart, Veronique A1 - Tenesa, Albert A1 - Aulchenko, Yurii A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Johansson, Åsa A1 - Boban, Mladen A1 - Ulivi, Sheila A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Boraska, Vesna A1 - Igl, Wilmar A1 - Wild, Sarah H A1 - Zgaga, Lina A1 - Amin, Najaf A1 - Theodoratou, Evropi A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Lopez, Lorna M A1 - Sala, Cinzia A1 - Lahti, Jari A1 - Laatikainen, Tiina A1 - Prokopenko, Inga A1 - Kals, Mart A1 - Viikari, Jorma A1 - Yang, Jian A1 - Pouta, Anneli A1 - Estrada, Karol A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Freimer, Nelson A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - Kähönen, Mika A1 - Milani, Lili A1 - Heliövaara, Markku A1 - Vartiainen, Erkki A1 - Räikkönen, Katri A1 - Masciullo, Corrado A1 - Starr, John M A1 - Hicks, Andrew A A1 - Esposito, Laura A1 - Kolcic, Ivana A1 - Farrington, Susan M A1 - Oostra, Ben A1 - Zemunik, Tatijana A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Kirin, Mirna A1 - Pehlic, Marina A1 - Faletra, Flavio A1 - Porteous, David A1 - Pistis, Giorgio A1 - Widen, Elisabeth A1 - Salomaa, Veikko A1 - Koskinen, Seppo A1 - Fischer, Krista A1 - Lehtimäki, Terho A1 - Heath, Andrew A1 - McCarthy, Mark I A1 - Rivadeneira, Fernando A1 - Montgomery, Grant W A1 - Tiemeier, Henning A1 - Hartikainen, Anna-Liisa A1 - Madden, Pamela A F A1 - d'Adamo, Pio A1 - Hastie, Nicholas D A1 - Gyllensten, Ulf A1 - Wright, Alan F A1 - van Duijn, Cornelia M A1 - Dunlop, Malcolm A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Pramstaller, Peter P A1 - Deary, Ian J A1 - Toniolo, Daniela A1 - Eriksson, Johan G A1 - Jula, Antti A1 - Raitakari, Olli T A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Perola, Markus A1 - Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta A1 - Uitterlinden, André A1 - Visscher, Peter M A1 - Wilson, James F KW - Adult KW - Aged KW - Body Height KW - Consanguinity KW - Databases, Genetic KW - Family KW - Female KW - Genes, Recessive KW - Genetic Heterogeneity KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Homozygote KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Quantitative Trait, Heritable AB -

Stature is a classical and highly heritable complex trait, with 80%-90% of variation explained by genetic factors. In recent years, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified many common additive variants influencing human height; however, little attention has been given to the potential role of recessive genetic effects. Here, we investigated genome-wide recessive effects by an analysis of inbreeding depression on adult height in over 35,000 people from 21 different population samples. We found a highly significant inverse association between height and genome-wide homozygosity, equivalent to a height reduction of up to 3 cm in the offspring of first cousins compared with the offspring of unrelated individuals, an effect which remained after controlling for the effects of socio-economic status, an important confounder (χ(2) = 83.89, df = 1; p = 5.2 × 10(-20)). There was, however, a high degree of heterogeneity among populations: whereas the direction of the effect was consistent across most population samples, the effect size differed significantly among populations. It is likely that this reflects true biological heterogeneity: whether or not an effect can be observed will depend on both the variance in homozygosity in the population and the chance inheritance of individual recessive genotypes. These results predict that multiple, rare, recessive variants influence human height. Although this exploratory work focuses on height alone, the methodology developed is generally applicable to heritable quantitative traits (QT), paving the way for an investigation into inbreeding effects, and therefore genetic architecture, on a range of QT of biomedical importance.

VL - 8 IS - 7 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22829771?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Meta-analyses identify 13 loci associated with age at menopause and highlight DNA repair and immune pathways. JF - Nat Genet Y1 - 2012 A1 - Stolk, Lisette A1 - Perry, John R B A1 - Chasman, Daniel I A1 - He, Chunyan A1 - Mangino, Massimo A1 - Sulem, Patrick A1 - Barbalic, Maja A1 - Broer, Linda A1 - Byrne, Enda M A1 - Ernst, Florian A1 - Esko, Tõnu A1 - Franceschini, Nora A1 - Gudbjartsson, Daniel F A1 - Hottenga, Jouke-Jan A1 - Kraft, Peter A1 - McArdle, Patrick F A1 - Porcu, Eleonora A1 - Shin, So-Youn A1 - Smith, Albert V A1 - van Wingerden, Sophie A1 - Zhai, Guangju A1 - Zhuang, Wei V A1 - Albrecht, Eva A1 - Alizadeh, Behrooz Z A1 - Aspelund, Thor A1 - Bandinelli, Stefania A1 - Lauc, Lovorka Barac A1 - Beckmann, Jacques S A1 - Boban, Mladen A1 - Boerwinkle, Eric A1 - Broekmans, Frank J A1 - Burri, Andrea A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Chanock, Stephen J A1 - Chen, Constance A1 - Cornelis, Marilyn C A1 - Corre, Tanguy A1 - Coviello, Andrea D A1 - d'Adamo, Pio A1 - Davies, Gail A1 - de Faire, Ulf A1 - de Geus, Eco J C A1 - Deary, Ian J A1 - Dedoussis, George V Z A1 - Deloukas, Panagiotis A1 - Ebrahim, Shah A1 - Eiriksdottir, Gudny A1 - Emilsson, Valur A1 - Eriksson, Johan G A1 - Fauser, Bart C J M A1 - Ferreli, Liana A1 - Ferrucci, Luigi A1 - Fischer, Krista A1 - Folsom, Aaron R A1 - Garcia, Melissa E A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Gieger, Christian A1 - Glazer, Nicole A1 - Grobbee, Diederick E A1 - Hall, Per A1 - Haller, Toomas A1 - Hankinson, Susan E A1 - Hass, Merli A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Heath, Andrew C A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Ingelsson, Erik A1 - Janssens, A Cecile J W A1 - Johnson, Andrew D A1 - Karasik, David A1 - Kardia, Sharon L R A1 - Keyzer, Jules A1 - Kiel, Douglas P A1 - Kolcic, Ivana A1 - Kutalik, Zoltán A1 - Lahti, Jari A1 - Lai, Sandra A1 - Laisk, Triin A1 - Laven, Joop S E A1 - Lawlor, Debbie A A1 - Liu, Jianjun A1 - Lopez, Lorna M A1 - Louwers, Yvonne V A1 - Magnusson, Patrik K E A1 - Marongiu, Mara A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - Klaric, Irena Martinovic A1 - Masciullo, Corrado A1 - McKnight, Barbara A1 - Medland, Sarah E A1 - Melzer, David A1 - Mooser, Vincent A1 - Navarro, Pau A1 - Newman, Anne B A1 - Nyholt, Dale R A1 - Onland-Moret, N Charlotte A1 - Palotie, Aarno A1 - Paré, Guillaume A1 - Parker, Alex N A1 - Pedersen, Nancy L A1 - Peeters, Petra H M A1 - Pistis, Giorgio A1 - Plump, Andrew S A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Pop, Victor J M A1 - Psaty, Bruce M A1 - Räikkönen, Katri A1 - Rehnberg, Emil A1 - Rotter, Jerome I A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Sala, Cinzia A1 - Salumets, Andres A1 - Scuteri, Angelo A1 - Singleton, Andrew A1 - Smith, Jennifer A A1 - Snieder, Harold A1 - Soranzo, Nicole A1 - Stacey, Simon N A1 - Starr, John M A1 - Stathopoulou, Maria G A1 - Stirrups, Kathleen A1 - Stolk, Ronald P A1 - Styrkarsdottir, Unnur A1 - Sun, Yan V A1 - Tenesa, Albert A1 - Thorand, Barbara A1 - Toniolo, Daniela A1 - Tryggvadottir, Laufey A1 - Tsui, Kim A1 - Ulivi, Sheila A1 - van Dam, Rob M A1 - van der Schouw, Yvonne T A1 - van Gils, Carla H A1 - van Nierop, Peter A1 - Vink, Jacqueline M A1 - Visscher, Peter M A1 - Voorhuis, Marlies A1 - Waeber, Gerard A1 - Wallaschofski, Henri A1 - Wichmann, H Erich A1 - Widen, Elisabeth A1 - Wijnands-van Gent, Colette J M A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Wilson, James F A1 - Wolffenbuttel, Bruce H R A1 - Wright, Alan F A1 - Yerges-Armstrong, Laura M A1 - Zemunik, Tatijana A1 - Zgaga, Lina A1 - Zillikens, M Carola A1 - Zygmunt, Marek A1 - Arnold, Alice M A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Buring, Julie E A1 - Crisponi, Laura A1 - Demerath, Ellen W A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - Harris, Tamara B A1 - Hu, Frank B A1 - Hunter, David J A1 - Launer, Lenore J A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Montgomery, Grant W A1 - Oostra, Ben A A1 - Ridker, Paul M A1 - Sanna, Serena A1 - Schlessinger, David A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - Stefansson, Kari A1 - Streeten, Elizabeth A A1 - Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur A1 - Uda, Manuela A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - van Duijn, Cornelia M A1 - Völzke, Henry A1 - Murray, Anna A1 - Murabito, Joanne M A1 - Visser, Jenny A A1 - Lunetta, Kathryn L KW - Age Factors KW - DNA Helicases KW - DNA Primase KW - DNA Repair KW - DNA Repair Enzymes KW - DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase KW - European Continental Ancestry Group KW - Exodeoxyribonucleases KW - Female KW - Genetic Loci KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Humans KW - Immunity KW - Menopause KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Proteins AB -

To newly identify loci for age at natural menopause, we carried out a meta-analysis of 22 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in 38,968 women of European descent, with replication in up to 14,435 women. In addition to four known loci, we identified 13 loci newly associated with age at natural menopause (at P < 5 × 10(-8)). Candidate genes located at these newly associated loci include genes implicated in DNA repair (EXO1, HELQ, UIMC1, FAM175A, FANCI, TLK1, POLG and PRIM1) and immune function (IL11, NLRP11 and PRRC2A (also known as BAT2)). Gene-set enrichment pathway analyses using the full GWAS data set identified exoDNase, NF-κB signaling and mitochondrial dysfunction as biological processes related to timing of menopause.

VL - 44 IS - 3 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22267201?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Thirty new loci for age at menarche identified by a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies. JF - Nat Genet Y1 - 2010 A1 - Elks, Cathy E A1 - Perry, John R B A1 - Sulem, Patrick A1 - Chasman, Daniel I A1 - Franceschini, Nora A1 - He, Chunyan A1 - Lunetta, Kathryn L A1 - Visser, Jenny A A1 - Byrne, Enda M A1 - Cousminer, Diana L A1 - Gudbjartsson, Daniel F A1 - Esko, Tõnu A1 - Feenstra, Bjarke A1 - Hottenga, Jouke-Jan A1 - Koller, Daniel L A1 - Kutalik, Zoltán A1 - Lin, Peng A1 - Mangino, Massimo A1 - Marongiu, Mara A1 - McArdle, Patrick F A1 - Smith, Albert V A1 - Stolk, Lisette A1 - van Wingerden, Sophie H A1 - Zhao, Jing Hua A1 - Albrecht, Eva A1 - Corre, Tanguy A1 - Ingelsson, Erik A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Magnusson, Patrik K E A1 - Smith, Erin N A1 - Ulivi, Shelia A1 - Warrington, Nicole M A1 - Zgaga, Lina A1 - Alavere, Helen A1 - Amin, Najaf A1 - Aspelund, Thor A1 - Bandinelli, Stefania A1 - Barroso, Inês A1 - Berenson, Gerald S A1 - Bergmann, Sven A1 - Blackburn, Hannah A1 - Boerwinkle, Eric A1 - Buring, Julie E A1 - Busonero, Fabio A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Chanock, Stephen J A1 - Chen, Wei A1 - Cornelis, Marilyn C A1 - Couper, David A1 - Coviello, Andrea D A1 - d'Adamo, Pio A1 - de Faire, Ulf A1 - de Geus, Eco J C A1 - Deloukas, Panos A1 - Döring, Angela A1 - Smith, George Davey A1 - Easton, Douglas F A1 - Eiriksdottir, Gudny A1 - Emilsson, Valur A1 - Eriksson, Johan A1 - Ferrucci, Luigi A1 - Folsom, Aaron R A1 - Foroud, Tatiana A1 - Garcia, Melissa A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Geller, Frank A1 - Gieger, Christian A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - Hall, Per A1 - Hankinson, Susan E A1 - Ferreli, Liana A1 - Heath, Andrew C A1 - Hernandez, Dena G A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Hu, Frank B A1 - Illig, Thomas A1 - Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta A1 - Johnson, Andrew D A1 - Karasik, David A1 - Khaw, Kay-Tee A1 - Kiel, Douglas P A1 - Kilpeläinen, Tuomas O A1 - Kolcic, Ivana A1 - Kraft, Peter A1 - Launer, Lenore J A1 - Laven, Joop S E A1 - Li, Shengxu A1 - Liu, Jianjun A1 - Levy, Daniel A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - McArdle, Wendy L A1 - Melbye, Mads A1 - Mooser, Vincent A1 - Murray, Jeffrey C A1 - Murray, Sarah S A1 - Nalls, Michael A A1 - Navarro, Pau A1 - Nelis, Mari A1 - Ness, Andrew R A1 - Northstone, Kate A1 - Oostra, Ben A A1 - Peacock, Munro A1 - Palmer, Lyle J A1 - Palotie, Aarno A1 - Paré, Guillaume A1 - Parker, Alex N A1 - Pedersen, Nancy L A1 - Peltonen, Leena A1 - Pennell, Craig E A1 - Pharoah, Paul A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Plump, Andrew S A1 - Pouta, Anneli A1 - Porcu, Eleonora A1 - Rafnar, Thorunn A1 - Rice, John P A1 - Ring, Susan M A1 - Rivadeneira, Fernando A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Sala, Cinzia A1 - Salomaa, Veikko A1 - Sanna, Serena A1 - Schlessinger, David A1 - Schork, Nicholas J A1 - Scuteri, Angelo A1 - Segrè, Ayellet V A1 - Shuldiner, Alan R A1 - Soranzo, Nicole A1 - Sovio, Ulla A1 - Srinivasan, Sathanur R A1 - Strachan, David P A1 - Tammesoo, Mar-Liis A1 - Tikkanen, Emmi A1 - Toniolo, Daniela A1 - Tsui, Kim A1 - Tryggvadottir, Laufey A1 - Tyrer, Jonathon A1 - Uda, Manuela A1 - van Dam, Rob M A1 - van Meurs, Joyce B J A1 - Vollenweider, Peter A1 - Waeber, Gerard A1 - Wareham, Nicholas J A1 - Waterworth, Dawn M A1 - Weedon, Michael N A1 - Wichmann, H Erich A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Wilson, James F A1 - Wright, Alan F A1 - Young, Lauren A1 - Zhai, Guangju A1 - Zhuang, Wei Vivian A1 - Bierut, Laura J A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Boyd, Heather A A1 - Crisponi, Laura A1 - Demerath, Ellen W A1 - van Duijn, Cornelia M A1 - Econs, Michael J A1 - Harris, Tamara B A1 - Hunter, David J A1 - Loos, Ruth J F A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Montgomery, Grant W A1 - Ridker, Paul M A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - Streeten, Elizabeth A A1 - Stefansson, Kari A1 - Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Widen, Elisabeth A1 - Murabito, Joanne M A1 - Ong, Ken K A1 - Murray, Anna KW - Adolescent KW - Aging KW - Body Height KW - Body Size KW - Child KW - DNA Copy Number Variations KW - Female KW - Genetic Loci KW - Genetic Predisposition to Disease KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Humans KW - Inheritance Patterns KW - Menarche KW - Obesity KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Quantitative Trait Loci KW - Reproducibility of Results KW - Time Factors AB -

To identify loci for age at menarche, we performed a meta-analysis of 32 genome-wide association studies in 87,802 women of European descent, with replication in up to 14,731 women. In addition to the known loci at LIN28B (P = 5.4 × 10⁻⁶⁰) and 9q31.2 (P = 2.2 × 10⁻³³), we identified 30 new menarche loci (all P < 5 × 10⁻⁸) and found suggestive evidence for a further 10 loci (P < 1.9 × 10⁻⁶). The new loci included four previously associated with body mass index (in or near FTO, SEC16B, TRA2B and TMEM18), three in or near other genes implicated in energy homeostasis (BSX, CRTC1 and MCHR2) and three in or near genes implicated in hormonal regulation (INHBA, PCSK2 and RXRG). Ingenuity and gene-set enrichment pathway analyses identified coenzyme A and fatty acid biosynthesis as biological processes related to menarche timing.

VL - 42 IS - 12 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21102462?dopt=Abstract ER -