Browsing by Subject "Genetic variation"

Now showing 1 - 10 of 15
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    A framework for detecting noncoding rare-variant associations of large-scale whole-genome sequencing studies
    (Springer Nature, 2022) Li, Zilin; Li, Xihao; Zhou, Hufeng; Gaynor, Sheila M.; Selvaraj, Margaret Sunitha; Arapoglou, Theodore; Quick, Corbin; Liu, Yaowu; Chen, Han; Sun, Ryan; Dey, Rounak; Arnett, Donna K.; Auer, Paul L.; Bielak, Lawrence F.; Bis, Joshua C.; Blackwell, Thomas W.; Blangero, John; Boerwinkle, Eric; Bowden, Donald W.; Brody, Jennifer A.; Cade, Brian E.; Conomos, Matthew P.; Correa, Adolfo; Cupples, L. Adrienne; Curran, Joanne E.; de Vries, Paul S.; Duggirala, Ravindranath; Franceschini, Nora; Freedman, Barry I.; Göring, Harald H. H.; Guo, Xiuqing; Kalyani, Rita R.; Kooperberg, Charles; Kral, Brian G.; Lange, Leslie A.; Lin, Bridget M.; Manichaikul, Ani; Manning, Alisa K.; Martin, Lisa W.; Mathias, Rasika A.; Meigs, James B.; Mitchell, Braxton D.; Montasser, May E.; Morrison, Alanna C.; Naseri, Take; O'Connell, Jeffrey R.; Palmer, Nicholette D.; Peyser, Patricia A.; Psaty, Bruce M.; Raffield, Laura M.; Redline, Susan; Reiner, Alexander P.; Reupena, Muagututi'a Sefuiva; Rice, Kenneth M.; Rich, Stephen S.; Smith, Jennifer A.; Taylor, Kent D.; Taub, Margaret A.; Vasan, Ramachandran S.; Weeks, Daniel E.; Wilson, James G.; Yanek, Lisa R.; Zhao, Wei; NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Consortium; TOPMed Lipids Working Group; Rotter, Jerome I.; Willer, Cristen J.; Natarajan, Pradeep; Peloso, Gina M.; Lin, Xihong; Biostatistics and Health Data Science, School of Medicine
    Large-scale whole-genome sequencing studies have enabled analysis of noncoding rare-variant (RV) associations with complex human diseases and traits. Variant-set analysis is a powerful approach to study RV association. However, existing methods have limited ability in analyzing the noncoding genome. We propose a computationally efficient and robust noncoding RV association detection framework, STAARpipeline, to automatically annotate a whole-genome sequencing study and perform flexible noncoding RV association analysis, including gene-centric analysis and fixed window-based and dynamic window-based non-gene-centric analysis by incorporating variant functional annotations. In gene-centric analysis, STAARpipeline uses STAAR to group noncoding variants based on functional categories of genes and incorporate multiple functional annotations. In non-gene-centric analysis, STAARpipeline uses SCANG-STAAR to incorporate dynamic window sizes and multiple functional annotations. We apply STAARpipeline to identify noncoding RV sets associated with four lipid traits in 21,015 discovery samples from the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) program and replicate several of them in an additional 9,123 TOPMed samples. We also analyze five non-lipid TOPMed traits.
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    Characterization of intrinsically disordered regions in proteins informed by human genetic diversity
    (PLOS, 2022-03-11) Ahmed, Shehab S.; Rifat, Zaara T.; Lohia, Ruchi; Campbell, Arthur J.; Dunker, A. Keith; Rahman, M. Sohel; Iqbal, Sumaiya; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine
    All proteomes contain both proteins and polypeptide segments that don't form a defined three-dimensional structure yet are biologically active-called intrinsically disordered proteins and regions (IDPs and IDRs). Most of these IDPs/IDRs lack useful functional annotation limiting our understanding of their importance for organism fitness. Here we characterized IDRs using protein sequence annotations of functional sites and regions available in the UniProt knowledgebase ("UniProt features": active site, ligand-binding pocket, regions mediating protein-protein interactions, etc.). By measuring the statistical enrichment of twenty-five UniProt features in 981 IDRs of 561 human proteins, we identified eight features that are commonly located in IDRs. We then collected the genetic variant data from the general population and patient-based databases and evaluated the prevalence of population and pathogenic variations in IDPs/IDRs. We observed that some IDRs tolerate 2 to 12-times more single amino acid-substituting missense mutations than synonymous changes in the general population. However, we also found that 37% of all germline pathogenic mutations are located in disordered regions of 96 proteins. Based on the observed-to-expected frequency of mutations, we categorized 34 IDRs in 20 proteins (DDX3X, KIT, RB1, etc.) as intolerant to mutation. Finally, using statistical analysis and a machine learning approach, we demonstrate that mutation-intolerant IDRs carry a distinct signature of functional features. Our study presents a novel approach to assign functional importance to IDRs by leveraging the wealth of available genetic data, which will aid in a deeper understating of the role of IDRs in biological processes and disease mechanisms.
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    CHRNA5/A3/B4 Variant rs3743078 and Nicotine-Related Phenotypes: Indirect Effects Through Nicotine Craving
    (Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies, 2016-03) Shmulewitz, Dvora; Meyers, Jacquelyn L.; Wall, Melanie M.; Aharonovich, Efrat; Frisch, Amos; Spivak, Baruch; Weizman, Abraham; Edenberg, Howard J.; Gelernter, Joel; Hasin, Deborah S.; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, IU School of Medicine
    OBJECTIVE: Nicotine craving is considered an important element in the persistence of cigarette smoking, but little is known about the role of craving in the widely recognized association between variants mapped to the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (CHRN) genes on chromosome 15 and nicotine phenotypes. METHOD: The associations between CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 variants and cigarettes per day (CPD), the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and craving were analyzed in data from 662 lifetime smokers from an Israeli adult Jewish household sample. Indirect effects of genotype on nicotine phenotypes through craving were formally tested using regression and bootstrapping procedures. RESULTS: At CHRNA3, allele G of rs3743078 was associated with increased craving, CPD, and FTND scores: Participants with one or two copies of the G allele had, on average, higher scores on the craving scale (p = .0025), more cigarettes smoked (p = .0057), and higher scores on the FTND (p =.0024). With craving in the model, variant rs3743078 showed a significant indirect effect through craving on CPD (p = .0026) and on FTND score (p = .0024). A sizeable proportion of the total rs3743078 effect on CPD (56.4%) and FTND (65.2%) was indirect through craving. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that nicotine craving may play a central role in nicotine use disorders and may have utility as a therapeutic target.
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    Clinical and cytogenetic survey of 39 individuals with Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome
    (Wiley, 1986-03) Butler, Merlin G.; Meaney, F. John; Palmer, Catherine G.; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    In a clinical and cytogenetic survey of 39 individuals with Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome (PLWS) (23 males and 16 females ranging in age from 2 weeks to 39 years), an interstitial deletion of chromosome 15 (breakpoints q11 and q13) was identified in 21 cases and apparently normal chromosomes in the remainder. Studies of parental chromosome 15 variants showed that the del[15q] was paternal in origin, although chromosomes of both parents were normal. All chromosome deletions were de novo events. Possible causes for the chromosome deletion and the role of chromosome rearrangements in individuals with PLWS are discussed. Clinical characteristics of the deletion and nondeletion groups were recorded and compared with 124 individuals reported in the literature. Individuals with the chromosome deletion were found to have lighter hair, eye, and skin color, greater sun sensitivity, and higher intelligence scores than individuals with normal chromosomes. Correlation studies of metacarpophalangeal pattern profile variables and dermatoglyphic findings indicate apparent homogeneity of the deletion group and heterogeneity of individuals with PLWS and normal chromosomes.
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    The effect of the top 20 Alzheimer disease risk genes on gray-matter density and FDG PET brain metabolism
    (Elsevier, 2016-12-19) Stage, Eddie; Duran, Tugce; Risacher, Shannon L.; Goukasian, Naira; Do, Triet M.; West, John D.; Wilhalme, Holly; Nho, Kwangsik; Phillips, Meredith; Elashoff, David; Saykin, Andrew J.; Apostolova, Liana G.; Department of Neurology, IU School of Medicine
    INTRODUCTION: We analyzed the effects of the top 20 Alzheimer disease (AD) risk genes on gray-matter density (GMD) and metabolism. METHODS: We ran stepwise linear regression analysis using posterior cingulate hypometabolism and medial temporal GMD as outcomes and all risk variants as predictors while controlling for age, gender, and APOE ε4 genotype. We explored the results in 3D using Statistical Parametric Mapping 8. RESULTS: Significant predictors of brain GMD were SLC24A4/RIN3 in the pooled and mild cognitive impairment (MCI); ZCWPW1 in the MCI; and ABCA7, EPHA1, and INPP5D in the AD groups. Significant predictors of hypometabolism were EPHA1 in the pooled, and SLC24A4/RIN3, NME8, and CD2AP in the normal control group. DISCUSSION: Multiple variants showed associations with GMD and brain metabolism. For most genes, the effects were limited to specific stages of the cognitive continuum, indicating that the genetic influences on brain metabolism and GMD in AD are complex and stage dependent.
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    FAVOR: functional annotation of variants online resource and annotator for variation across the human genome
    (Oxford University Press, 2023) Zhou, Hufeng; Arapoglou, Theodore; Li, Xihao; Li, Zilin; Zheng, Xiuwen; Moore, Jill; Asok, Abhijith; Kumar, Sushant; Blue, Elizabeth E.; Buyske, Steven; Cox, Nancy; Felsenfeld, Adam; Gerstein, Mark; Kenny, Eimear; Li, Bingshan; Matise, Tara; Philippakis, Anthony; Rehm, Heidi L.; Sofia, Heidi J.; Snyder, Grace; NHGRI Genome Sequencing Program Variant Functional Annotation Working Group; Weng, Zhiping; Neale, Benjamin; Sunyaev, Shamil R.; Lin, Xihong; Biostatistics, School of Public Health
    Large biobank-scale whole genome sequencing (WGS) studies are rapidly identifying a multitude of coding and non-coding variants. They provide an unprecedented resource for illuminating the genetic basis of human diseases. Variant functional annotations play a critical role in WGS analysis, result interpretation, and prioritization of disease- or trait-associated causal variants. Existing functional annotation databases have limited scope to perform online queries and functionally annotate the genotype data of large biobank-scale WGS studies. We develop the Functional Annotation of Variants Online Resources (FAVOR) to meet these pressing needs. FAVOR provides a comprehensive multi-faceted variant functional annotation online portal that summarizes and visualizes findings of all possible nine billion single nucleotide variants (SNVs) across the genome. It allows for rapid variant-, gene- and region-level queries of variant functional annotations. FAVOR integrates variant functional information from multiple sources to describe the functional characteristics of variants and facilitates prioritizing plausible causal variants influencing human phenotypes. Furthermore, we provide a scalable annotation tool, FAVORannotator, to functionally annotate large-scale WGS studies and efficiently store the genotype and their variant functional annotation data in a single file using the annotated Genomic Data Structure (aGDS) format, making downstream analysis more convenient. FAVOR and FAVORannotator are available at https://favor.genohub.org.
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    Genome-wide association study in 176,678 Europeans reveals genetic loci for tanning response to sun exposure
    (Nature Publishing Group, 2018-05-08) Visconti, Alessia; Duffy, David L.; Liu, Fan; Zhu, Gu; Wu, Wenting; Chen, Yan; Hysi, Pirro G.; Zeng, Changqing; Sanna, Marianna; Iles, Mark M.; Kanetsky, Peter A.; Demenais, Florence; Hamer, Merel A.; Uitterlinden, Andre G.; Ikram, M. Arfan; Nijsten, Tamar; Martin, Nicholas G.; Kayser, Manfred; Spector, Tim D.; Han, Jiali; Bataille, Veronique; Falchi, Mario; Epidemiology, School of Public Health
    The skin's tendency to sunburn rather than tan is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Here we report a large genome-wide association study of ease of skin tanning in 176,678 subjects of European ancestry. We identify significant association with tanning ability at 20 loci. We confirm previously identified associations at six of these loci, and report 14 novel loci, of which ten have never been associated with pigmentation-related phenotypes. Our results also suggest that variants at the AHR/AGR3 locus, previously associated with cutaneous malignant melanoma the underlying mechanism of which is poorly understood, might act on disease risk through modulation of tanning ability.
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    Harmonizing the Collection of Clinical Data on Genetic Testing Requisition Forms to Enhance Variant Interpretation in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): A Study from the ClinGen Cardiomyopathy Variant Curation Expert Panel
    (Elsevier, 2021-05) Morales, Ana; Ing, Alexander; Antolik, Christian; Austin-Tse, Christina; Baudhuin, Linnea M.; Bronicki, Lucas; Cirino, Allison; Hawley, Megan H.; Fietz, Michael; Garcia, John; Ho, Carolyn; Ingles, Jodie; Jarinova, Olga; Johnston, Tami; Kelly, Melissa A.; Kurtz, C. Lisa; Lebo, Matt; Macaya, Daniela; Mahanta, Lisa; Maleszewski, Joseph; Manrai, Arjun K.; Murray, Mitzi; Richard, Gabriele; Semsarian, Chris; Thomson, Kate L.; Winder, Tom; Ware, James S.; Hershberger, Ray E.; Funke, Birgit H.; Vatta, Matteo; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    Diagnostic laboratories gather phenotypic data through requisition forms, but there is no consensus as to which data are essential for variant interpretation. The ClinGen Cardiomyopathy Variant Curation Expert Panel defined a phenotypic data set for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) variant interpretation, with the goal of standardizing requisition forms. Phenotypic data elements listed on requisition forms from nine leading cardiomyopathy testing laboratories were compiled to assess divergence in data collection. A pilot of 50 HCM cases was implemented to determine the feasibility of harmonizing data collection. Laboratory directors were surveyed to gauge potential for adoption of a minimal data set. Wide divergence was observed in the phenotypic data fields in requisition forms. The 50-case pilot showed that although demographics and assertion of a clinical diagnosis of HCM had 86% to 98% completion, specific phenotypic features, such as degree of left ventricular hypertrophy, ejection fraction, and suspected syndromic disease, were completed only 24% to 44% of the time. Nine data elements were deemed essential for variant classification by the expert panel. Participating laboratories unanimously expressed a willingness to adopt these data elements in their requisition forms. This study demonstrates the value of comparing and sharing best practices through an expert group, such as the ClinGen Program, to enhance variant interpretation, providing a foundation for leveraging cumulative case-level data in public databases and ultimately improving patient care.
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    Imbalanced mitochondrial function provokes heterotaxy via aberrant ciliogenesis
    (American Society for Clinical Investigation, 2019-05-16) Burkhalter, Martin D.; Sridhar, Arthi; Sampaio, Pedro; Jacinto, Raquel; Burczyk, Martina S.; Donow, Cornelia; Angenendt, Max; Competence Network for Congenital Heart Defects Investigators; Hempel, Maja; Walther, Paul; Pennekamp, Petra; Omran, Heymut; Lopes, Susana S.; Ware, Stephanie M.; Philipp, Melanie; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    About 1% of all newborns are affected by congenital heart disease (CHD). Recent findings identify aberrantly functioning cilia as a possible source for CHD. Faulty cilia also prevent the development of proper left-right asymmetry and cause heterotaxy, the incorrect placement of visceral organs. Intriguingly, signaling cascades such as mTor that influence mitochondrial biogenesis also affect ciliogenesis, and can cause heterotaxy-like phenotypes in zebrafish. Here, we identify levels of mitochondrial function as a determinant for ciliogenesis and a cause for heterotaxy. We detected reduced mitochondrial DNA content in biopsies of heterotaxy patients. Manipulation of mitochondrial function revealed a reciprocal influence on ciliogenesis and affected cilia-dependent processes in zebrafish, human fibroblasts and Tetrahymena thermophila. Exome analysis of heterotaxy patients revealed an increased burden of rare damaging variants in mitochondria-associated genes as compared to 1000 Genome controls. Knockdown of such candidate genes caused cilia elongation and ciliopathy-like phenotypes in zebrafish, which could not be rescued by RNA encoding damaging rare variants identified in heterotaxy patients. Our findings suggest that ciliogenesis is coupled to the abundance and function of mitochondria. Our data further reveal disturbed mitochondrial function as an underlying cause for heterotaxy-linked CHD and provide a mechanism for unexplained phenotypes of mitochondrial disease.
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    Loss of miR-29a/b1 promotes inflammation and fibrosis in acute pancreatitis
    (American Society for Clinical Investigation, 2021-10-08) Dey, Shatovisha; Udari, Lata M.; RiveraHernandez, Primavera; Kwon, Jason J.; Willis, Brandon; Easler, Jeffrey J.; Fogel, Evan L.; Pandol, Stephen; Kota, Janaiah; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    MicroRNA-29 (miR-29) is a critical regulator of fibroinflammatory processes in human diseases. In this study, we found a decrease in miR-29a in experimental and human chronic pancreatitis, leading us to investigate the regulatory role of the miR-29a/b1 cluster in acute pancreatitis (AP) utilizing a conditional miR-29a/b1–KO mouse model. miR-29a/b1-sufficient (WT) and -deficient (KO) mice were administered supramaximal caerulein to induce AP and characterized at different time points, utilizing an array of IHC and biochemical analyses for AP parameters. In caerulein-induced WT mice, miR-29a remained dramatically downregulated at injury. Despite high-inflammatory milieu, fibrosis, and parenchymal disarray in the WT mice during early AP, the pancreata fully restored during recovery. miR-29a/b1–KO mice showed significantly greater inflammation, lymphocyte infiltration, macrophage polarization, and ECM deposition, continuing until late recovery with persistent parenchymal disorganization. The increased pancreatic fibrosis was accompanied by enhanced TGFβ1 coupled with persistent αSMA+ PSC activation. Additionally, these mice exhibited higher circulating IL-6 and inflammation in lung parenchyma. Together, this collection of studies indicates that depletion of miR-29a/b1 cluster impacts the fibroinflammatory mechanisms of AP, resulting in (a) aggravated pathogenesis and (b) delayed recovery from the disease, suggesting a protective role of the molecule against AP.