Reduced glomerular filtration rate defines chronic kidney disease and is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), combining data across 133,413 individuals with replication in up to 42,166 individuals. We identify 24 new and confirm 29 previously identified loci. Of these 53 loci, nineteen associate with eGFR among individuals with diabetes. Using bioinformatics, we show that identified genes at eGFR loci are enriched for expression in kidney tissues and in pathways relevant for kidney development and transmembrane transporter activity, kidney structure, and regulation of glucose metabolism. Chromatin state mapping and DNase I hypersensitivity analyses across adult tissues demonstrate preferential mapping of associated variants to regulatory regions in kidney but not extra-renal tissues. These findings suggest that genetic determinants of eGFR are mediated largely through direct effects within the kidney and highlight important cell types and biologic pathways.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important public health problem with a genetic component. We performed genome-wide association studies in up to 130,600 European ancestry participants overall, and stratified for key CKD risk factors. We uncovered 6 new loci in association with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the primary clinical measure of CKD, in or near MPPED2, DDX1, SLC47A1, CDK12, CASP9, and INO80. Morpholino knockdown of mpped2 and casp9 in zebrafish embryos revealed podocyte and tubular abnormalities with altered dextran clearance, suggesting a role for these genes in renal function. By providing new insights into genes that regulate renal function, these results could further our understanding of the pathogenesis of CKD.
The study results suggest that genetic variants of several candidate genes of neurotransmitter systems, each of a minor individual effect, may contribute to the susceptibility to PD. Our data also indicate that genetic variability may have a distinctive influence on pure and comorbid phenotypes of PD.
Epileptic encephalopathies represent a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders, majority of which are of unknown etiology. We used whole-exome sequencing of a parent-offspring trio to identify the cause of early infantile epileptic encephalopathy in a boy with neonatal seizures, movement disorders, and multiple congenital anomalies who died at the age of 17 months because of respiratory illness and identified a de novo heterozygous missense mutation (c.3979A>G; p.Ile1327Val) in SCN8A (voltage-gated sodium-channel type VIII alpha subunit) gene. The variant was confirmed in the proband with Sanger sequencing. Because the clinical phenotype associated with SCN8A mutations has previously been identified only in a few patients with or without epileptic seizures, these data together with our results suggest that mutations in SCN8A can lead to early infantile epileptic encephalopathy with a broad phenotypic spectrum. Additional investigations will be worthwhile to determine the prevalence and contribution of SCN8A mutations to epileptic encephalopathies.
Purpose
Large-scale, population-based biobanks integrating health records and genomic profiles may provide a platform to identify individuals with disease-predisposing genetic variants. Here, we recall probands carrying familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)-associated variants, perform cascade screening of family members, and describe health outcomes affected by such a strategy.
Methods
The Estonian Biobank of Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, comprises 52,274 individuals. Among 4776 participants with exome or genome sequences, we identified 27 individuals who carried FH-associated variants in the
LDLR
,
APOB
, or
PCSK9
genes. Cascade screening of 64 family members identified an additional 20 carriers of FH-associated variants.
Results
Via genetic counseling and clinical management of carriers, we were able to reclassify 51% of the study participants from having previously established nonspecific hypercholesterolemia to having FH and identify 32% who were completely unaware of harboring a high-risk disease-associated genetic variant. Imaging-based risk stratification targeted 86% of the variant carriers for statin treatment recommendations.
Conclusion
Genotype-guided recall of probands and subsequent cascade screening for familial hypercholesterolemia is feasible within a population-based biobank and may facilitate more appropriate clinical management.
Our results provide for the first time evidence implicating FGF1 in the occurrence of CL/P, and support TIMP2 and WNT9B as novel loci predisposing to CL/P. We have also replicated recently reported significant associations between variants in or near FOXE1 and CL/P. It is likely that variation in FOXE1, TIMP2, and the FGF and Wnt signaling pathway genes confers susceptibility to nonsyndromic CL/P in Northeastern European populations.
We analyzed the frequency of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions À1053 (rs 2981572), 1380 (rs 2981573), 1462 (rs 2232360), and 3978 (rs 1518108) of the human interleukin-20 (IL-20) gene by tetraprimer ARMS-PCR method. A significant association between patients with psoriasis and the G allele at position À1053 (Po0.05) was established. The pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) matrix showed that the nearly complete LD was present within the polymorphisms at positions À1053, 1380, and 1462 of the IL-20 gene. We found that patients with plaque psoriasis had a higher frequency of the HT3 GAA haplotype (Po0.01, OR 2.341, 95% CI: 1.346-4.074) compared to the control group. Likewise, the HT3 GAA haplotype was associated with an increased risk of early-onset psoriasis (Po0.01, OR 2.305, 95% CI: 1.285-4.132), late onset of disease (Po0.01, OR 2.542, 95% CI: 1.266-5.102), familial psoriasis (Po0.02, OR 2.220, 95% CI: 1.249-3.945), and sporadic disease (Po0.01, OR 2.523, 95% CI: 1.390-4.580). Our data indicate that IL-20 gene polymorphisms should have a role in determining susceptibility to plaque-type psoriasis. The possible role of the studied SNPs in the regulation of the expression of IL-20 is unknown yet and needs further studies.
This study provides for the first time evidence of the implication of IRF6, COL2A1, and WNT3 in the occurrence of NSCP. It is likely that variation in cartilage collagen II and XI genes, IRF6, and the Wnt and FGF signaling pathway genes contributes susceptibility to nonsyndromic cleft palate in Northeastern European populations.
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