A1 Journal article (refereed)
Rare variant analyses across multiethnic cohorts identify novel genes for refractive error (2023)

Musolf, A. M., Haarman, A. E. G., Luben, R. N., Ong, J.-S., Patasova, K., Trapero, R. H., Marsh, J., Jain, I., Jain, R., Wang, P. Z., Lewis, D. D., Tedja, M. S., Iglesias, A. I., Li, H., Cowan, C. S., Baird, P. N., Veluchamy, A. B., Burdon, K. P., Campbell, H., . . . Bailey-Wilson, J. E. (2023). Rare variant analyses across multiethnic cohorts identify novel genes for refractive error. Communications Biology, 6, Article 6. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-04323-7

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Musolf, Anthony M.; Haarman, Annechien E. G.; Luben, Robert N.; Ong, Jue-Sheng; Patasova, Karina; Trapero, Rolando Hernandez; Marsh, Joseph; Jain, Ishika; Jain, Riya; Wang, Paul Zhiping; et al.

Journal or series: Communications Biology

eISSN: 2399-3642

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 03/01/2023

Volume: 6

Article number: 6

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-04323-7

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/84767

Abstract

Refractive error, measured here as mean spherical equivalent (SER), is a complex eye condition caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Individuals with strong positive or negative values of SER require spectacles or other approaches for vision correction. Common genetic risk factors have been identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), but a great part of the refractive error heritability is still missing. Some of this heritability may be explained by rare variants (minor allele frequency [MAF] ≤ 0.01.). We performed multiple gene-based association tests of mean Spherical Equivalent with rare variants in exome array data from the Consortium for Refractive Error and Myopia (CREAM). The dataset consisted of over 27,000 total subjects from five cohorts of Indo-European and Eastern Asian ethnicity. We identified 129 unique genes associated with refractive error, many of which were replicated in multiple cohorts. Our best novel candidates included the retina expressed PDCD6IP, the circadian rhythm gene PER3, and P4HTM, which affects eye morphology. Future work will include functional studies and validation. Identification of genes contributing to refractive error and future understanding of their function may lead to better treatment and prevention of refractive errors, which themselves are important risk factors for various blinding conditions.

Keywords: refractive errors; eye diseases; heredity; medical genetics; hereditary diseases; heritability; genome; environmental factors; risk factors

Free keywords: genetic predisposition to disease; genome-wide association studies; microarrays; quantitative trait; quantitative trait loci

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2023

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1