RNA modification-related variants in genomic loci associated with body mass index

Association between polymorphisms of the adenylate cyclase 3 gene rs2241759 and the effect of high-intensity interval training on blood lipid profiles

Background

One of the recognized effects of systematic physical activity is the improvement of physical fitness, with a negative correlation found between physical fitness and cardiovascular and cardiometabolic risk. The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the adenylate cyclase 3 (ADCY3) gene on the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on blood lipids, and simultaneously screen out the genetic markers sensitive to HIIT in Chinese Han youth.

Methods

In the 12-week HIIT program, a total of 237 Chinese Han college students with non-regular exercise habits were recruited, and these volunteers participated in the training three times a week. Baseline and after the HIIT program, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured, respectively. DNA was extracted from the white blood cells of volunteers and genotyping was carried out. The PLINK v1.09 software was used to conduct quality control screening on the obtained SNPs, and a linear regression model was constructed to analyze the association between ADCY3 gene SNPs and the effect of HIIT on blood lipids. ANOVA multiple comparison (LSD) was performed to test the difference between groups (P < 0.05).

Results

(1) Through the analysis of Illumina CGA chip scanning, a total of 22 SNPs of the ADCY3 gene were identified. Following rigorous quality control screening, 15 SNPs were included in the subsequent analysis. Notably, it was found that the rs2241759 locus is associated with the effect of HIIT on blood lipid profiles. (2) Among male volunteers, significant differences in the baseline HDL-C values were observed among the three genotypes at the rs2241759 locus of the ADCY3 gene (β =  - 0.019, P = 0.040). The baseline value for the GG genotype was higher than that AA/AG genotypes. (3) After HIIT, the total levels of TC and HDL-C in volunteers increased significantly (P < 0.05). In contrast, the total levels of TG and LDL-C decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Further statistical analysis categorized by gender revealed that, with the exception of TC values in men, significant changes were observed for TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C across both genders (P < 0.05). (4) Compared to male volunteers with the GG genotype, male volunteers carrying the A allele exhibited a more pronounced change in TC values following training (β = 0.044, P = 0.038). (5) The rs2241759 locus demonstrated a significant association with the effect of HIIT on LDL-C (β =  - 0.065, P = 0.04363).

Conclusion

(1) The implementation of a 12-week HIIT regimen can significantly enhance the blood lipid status of college students. (2) The locus rs2241759 of the ADCY3 gene is significantly associated with the sensitivity of LDL-C to HIIT.

Decoding the genetic landscape of juvenile dermatomyositis: insights from phosphorylation-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified genetic susceptibility loci associated with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Single nucleotide polymorphisms related to phosphorylation (phosSNPs) are critical nonsynonymous mutations exerting substantial influence on gene expression regulation. The aim of this study was to identify JDM susceptibility genes in the GWAS loci by the use of phosSNPs. We explored quantitative trait loci (QTLs) among the phosSNPs associated with JDM using data from eQTL (bulk tissues and single-cell) and pQTL studies. For gene expression and protein levels significantly influenced by JDM-associated phosSNPs, we assessed their associations with JDM through MR analyses. Additionally, we conducted differential expression gene analyses, incorporating single-cell transcriptomic profiling of 6 JDM cases and 11 juvenile controls (99,396 cells). We identified 31 phosSNPs situated in the 6p21 locus that were associated with JDM. Half of these phosSNPs showed effects on gene expression in various cells and circulating protein levels. In MR analyses, we established associations between the expression levels of pivotal JDM-associated genes, including MICB, C4A, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DRB5, and PSMB9, in skin, muscle, or blood cells and circulating levels of C4A, with JDM. Utilizing single-cell eQTL data, we identified a total of 276 association signals across 14 distinct immune cell types for 28 phosSNPs. Further insights were gained through single-cell differential expression analysis, revealing differential expression of PSMB9, HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DPB1, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, and HLA-DRB1 in immune cells. The present study pinpointed phosSNPs within susceptibility genes for JDM and unraveled the intricate relationships among these SNPs, gene expression levels, and JDM.

Arterial aneurysm and dissection: toward the evolving phenotype of Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome

BACKGROUND

Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome (TBRS) is a rare disorder, caused by DNMT3A heterozygous pathogenic variants, and first described in 2014. TBRS is characterised by overgrowth, intellectual disability, facial dysmorphism, hypotonia and musculoskeletal features, as well as neurological and psychiatric features. Cardiac manifestations have also been reported, mainly congenital malformations such as atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect and cardiac valvular disease. Aortic dilatation has rarely been described.

METHODS

Here we have undertaken a detailed clinical and molecular description of eight previously unreported individuals, who had TBRS and arterial dilatation and/or dissection, mainly thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). We have also reviewed the seven previously published cases of TAA in individuals with TBRS to try to better delineate the vascular phenotype and to determine specific follow-up for this condition.

RESULTS

We include eight new patients with TBRS who presented with arterial aneurysms mainly involving aorta. Three of these patients presented with dissection that required critical surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Arterial aneurysms and dissections are a potentially lethal, age-dependent manifestation. The prevalence of aortic disease in individuals with TBRS is far in excess of that expected in the general population. This cohort, together with individuals previously published, illustrates the importance to consider dilatation/dissection, mainly in aorta but also in other arteries. Arterial vascular weakness may therefore also be a cardinal feature of TBRS and vascular surveillance is recommended.

Population-enriched innate immune variants may identify candidate gene targets at the intersection of cancer and cardio-metabolic disease

Both cancer and cardio-metabolic disease disparities exist among specific populations in the US. For example, African Americans experience the highest rates of breast and prostate cancer mortality and the highest incidence of obesity. Native and Hispanic Americans experience the highest rates of liver cancer mortality. At the same time, Pacific Islanders have the highest death rate attributed to type 2 diabetes (T2D), and Asian Americans experience the highest incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cancers induced by infectious agents. Notably, the pathologic progression of both cancer and cardio-metabolic diseases involves innate immunity and mechanisms of inflammation. Innate immunity in individuals is established through genetic inheritance and external stimuli to respond to environmental threats and stresses such as pathogen exposure. Further, individual genomes contain characteristic genetic markers associated with one or more geographic ancestries (ethnic groups), including protective innate immune genetic programming optimized for survival in their corresponding ancestral environment(s). This perspective explores evidence related to our working hypothesis that genetic variations in innate immune genes, particularly those that are commonly found but unevenly distributed between populations, are associated with disparities between populations in both cancer and cardio-metabolic diseases. Identifying conventional and unconventional innate immune genes that fit this profile may provide critical insights into the underlying mechanisms that connect these two families of complex diseases and offer novel targets for precision-based treatment of cancer and/or cardio-metabolic disease.

Adenylate cyclase 3: a potential genetic link between obesity and major depressive disorder

Obesity and major depressive disorder (MDD) are both significant health issues that have been increasing in prevalence and are associated with multiple comorbidities. Obesity and MDD have been shown to be bidirectionally associated, and they are both influenced by genetics and environmental factors. However, the molecular mechanisms that link these two diseases are not yet fully understood. It is possible that these diseases are connected through the actions of the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Within this pathway, adenylate cyclase 3 (Adcy3) has emerged as a key player in both obesity and MDD. Numerous genetic variants in Adcy3 have been identified in humans in association with obesity. Rodent knockout studies have also validated the importance of this gene for energy homeostasis. Furthermore, Adcy3 has been identified as a top candidate gene and even a potential blood biomarker for MDD. Adcy3 and the cAMP/PKA pathway may therefore serve as an important genetic and functional link between these two diseases. In this mini-review, we discuss the role of both Adcy3 and the cAMP/PKA pathway, including specific genetic mutations, in both diseases. Understanding the role that Adcy3 mutations play in obesity and MDD could open the door for precision medicine approaches and treatments for both diseases that target this gene.

Genome-wide identification of RNA modification-related single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND

RNA modification plays important roles in many biological processes, such as gene expression control. The aim of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms related to RNA modification (RNAm-SNPs) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as putative functional variants.

METHODS

We examined the association of RNAm-SNPs with RA in summary data from a genome-wide association study of 19,234 RA cases and 61,565 controls. We performed eQTL and pQTL analyses for the RNAm-SNPs to find associated gene expression and protein levels. Furthermore, we examined the associations of gene expression and circulating protein levels with RA using two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis methods.

RESULTS

A total of 160 RNAm-SNPs related to m⁶A, m¹A, A-to-I, m⁷G, m⁵C, m⁵U and m⁶Am modifications were identified to be significantly associated with RA. These RNAm-SNPs were located in 62 protein-coding genes, which were significantly enriched in immune-related pathways. RNAm-SNPs in important RA susceptibility genes, such as PADI2, SPRED2, PLCL2, HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DPB1, TRAF1 and TXNDC11, were identified. Most of these RNAm-SNPs showed eQTL effects, and the expression levels of 26 of the modifiable genes (e.g., PADI2, TRAF1, HLA-A, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DPB1 and HLA-B) in blood cells were associated with RA. Circulating protein levels, such as CFB, GZMA, HLA-DQA2, IL21, LRPAP1 and TFF3, were affected by RNAm-SNPs and were associated with RA.

CONCLUSION

The present study identified RNAm-SNPs in the reported RA susceptibility genes and suggested that RNAm-SNPs may affect RA risk by affecting the expression levels of corresponding genes and proteins.