Recent genome-wide (GW) scans have identified several independent loci affecting human stature, but their contribution through the different skeletal components of height is still poorly understood. We carried out a genome-wide scan in 12,611 participants, followed by replication in an additional 7,187 individuals, and identified 17 genomic regions with GW-significant association with height. Of these, two are entirely novel (rs11809207 in CATSPER4, combined P-value = 6.1x10(-8) and rs910316 in TMED10, P-value = 1.4x10(-7)) and two had previously been described with weak statistical support (rs10472828 in NPR3, P-value = 3x10(-7) and rs849141 in JAZF1, P-value = 3.2x10(-11)). One locus (rs1182188 at GNA12) identifies the first height eQTL. We also assessed the contribution of height loci to the upper- (trunk) and lower-body (hip axis and femur) skeletal components of height. We find evidence for several loci associated with trunk length (including rs6570507 in GPR126, P-value = 4x10(-5) and rs6817306 in LCORL, P-value = 4x10(-4)), hip axis length (including rs6830062 at LCORL, P-value = 4.8x10(-4) and rs4911494 at UQCC, P-value = 1.9x10(-4)), and femur length (including rs710841 at PRKG2, P-value = 2.4x10(-5) and rs10946808 at HIST1H1D, P-value = 6.4x10(-6)). Finally, we used conditional analyses to explore a possible differential contribution of the height loci to these different skeletal size measurements. In addition to validating four novel loci controlling adult stature, our study represents the first effort to assess the contribution of genetic loci to three skeletal components of height. Further statistical tests in larger numbers of individuals will be required to verify if the height loci affect height preferentially through these subcomponents of height.
Pubmed ID: 19343178 RIS Download
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View all literature mentionsSoftware application designed to facilitate meta-analysis of large datasets (such as several whole genome scans) in a convenient, rapid and memory efficient manner. (entry from Genetic Analysis Software)
View all literature mentionsSoftware application that carries out single-point and multipoint analyses of pedigree data, including IBD and kinship calculations, nonparametric and variance component linkage analyses, error detection and information content mapping. For multipoint analyses in dense maps, Merlin allows the user to impose constraints on the number of recombinants between consecutive markers. Merlin estimates haplotypes by finding the most likely path of gene flow or by sampling paths of gene flow at all markers jointly. It can also list all possible nonrecombinant haplotypes within short regions. Finally, Merlin provides swap-file support for handling very large numbers of markers as well as gene-dropping simulations for estimating empirical significance levels. (entry from Genetic Analysis Software)
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