Work

G = E: What GWAS Can Tell Us about the Environment

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: As our understanding of genetics has improved, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous variants associated with lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes. However, what is sometimes overlooked is the possibility that genetic variants identified in GWAS of disease might reflect the effect of modifiable risk factors as well as direct genetic effects. We discuss this possibility with illustrative examples from tobacco and alcohol research, in which genetic variants that predict behavioural phenotypes have been seen in GWAS of diseases known to be causally related to these behaviours. This consideration has implications for the interpretation of GWAS findings.

Source: PLoS Genetics

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005765

Authors: Suzanne H. Gage, George Davey Smith, Jennifer J. Ware, Jonathan Flint, Marcus R. Munafò

Institutions: University of Bristol, MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford

Language: English

Topic: Genetic Associations and Epidemiology

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,043