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- Nolte, I. M., et al.
(author)
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Genetic loci associated with heart rate variability and their effects on cardiac disease risk
- 2017
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Reduced cardiac vagal control reflected in low heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with greater risks for cardiac morbidity and mortality. In two-stage meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies for three HRV traits in up to 53,174 individuals of European ancestry, we detect 17 genome-wide significant SNPs in eight loci. HRV SNPs tag non-synonymous SNPs (in NDUFA11 and KIAA1755), expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) (influencing GNG11, RGS6 and NEO1), or are located in genes preferentially expressed in the sinoatrial node (GNG11, RGS6 and HCN4). Genetic risk scores account for 0.9 to 2.6% of the HRV variance. Significant genetic correlation is found for HRV with heart rate (-0.74 < r(g) < -0.55) and blood pressure (-0.35 < r(g) < -0.20). These findings provide clinically relevant biological insight into heritable variation in vagal heart rhythm regulation, with a key role for genetic variants (GNG11, RGS6) that influence G-protein heterotrimer action in GIRK-channel induced pacemaker membrane hyperpolarization.
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2. |
- Benyamin, Beben, et al.
(author)
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Identification of novel loci affecting circulating chromogranins and related peptides
- 2017
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In: Human Molecular Genetics. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0964-6906 .- 1460-2083. ; 26:1, s. 233-242
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chromogranins are pro-hormone secretory proteins released from neuroendocrine cells, with effects on control of blood pressure. We conducted a genome-wide association study for plasma catestatin, the catecholamine release inhibitory peptide derived from chromogranin A (CHGA), and other CHGA- or chromogranin B (CHGB)-related peptides, in 545 US and 1252 Australian subjects. This identified loci on chromosomes 4q35 and 5q34 affecting catestatin concentration (P = 3.40 × 10(-30) for rs4253311 and 1.85 × 10(-19) for rs2731672, respectively). Genes in these regions include the proteolytic enzymes kallikrein (KLKB1) and Factor XII (F12). In chromaffin cells, CHGA and KLKB1 proteins co-localized in catecholamine storage granules. In vitro, kallikrein cleaved recombinant human CHGA to catestatin, verified by mass spectrometry. The peptide identified from this digestion (CHGA360-373) selectively inhibited nicotinic cholinergic stimulated catecholamine release from chromaffin cells. A proteolytic cascade involving kallikrein and Factor XII cleaves chromogranins to active compounds both in vivo and in vitro.
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3. |
- Wendt, Frank R., et al.
(author)
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The Relationship of Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder : A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization and Population-Based Sibling Comparison Study
- 2023
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In: Biological Psychiatry. - : Elsevier. - 0006-3223 .- 1873-2402. ; 93:4, s. 362-369
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated but it is unclear if this is a causal relationship or confounding. We used genetic analyses and sibling comparisons to clarify the direction this relationship.Methods: Linkage Disequilibrium Score Regression and two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) were used to test for genetic correlation (rg) and bidirectional causal effects using European ancestry genome-wide association studies of ADHD (20,183 cases and 35,191 controls) and six PTSD definitions (up to 320,369 individuals). Several additional variables were included in the analysis to verify the independence of the ADHD-PTSD relationship. In a population-based sibling comparison (N=2,082,118 individuals), Cox regression models were fitted to account for time at risk, a range of sociodemographic factors, and unmeasured familial confounders (via sibling comparisons).Results: ADHD and PTSD had consistent rg (rg range, 0.43-0.52; P < .001). ADHD genetic liability was causally linked with increased risk for PTSD (Beta=0.367, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.186-0.552, P=7.68x10-5). This result was not affected by heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy (MR Egger intercept=4.34x10-4, P=0.961), or other phenotypes, and was consistent across PTSD datasets. However, we found no consistent associations between PTSD genetic liability and ADHD risk. Individuals diagnosed with ADHD were at a higher risk for developing PTSD than their undiagnosed sibling (hazard ratio=2.37, 95% CI 1.98-3.53).Conclusions: Our findings add novel evidence supporting the need for early and effective treatment of ADHD as patients with this diagnosis are at significantly higher risk to develop PTSD later in life.
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