Genetic Factors Affecting Lipid Levels in Different Populations
Author Information
Author(s): Dumitrescu Logan, Carty Cara L., Taylor Kira, Schumacher Fredrick R., Hindorff Lucia A., Ambite José L., Anderson Garnet, Best Lyle G., Brown-Gentry Kristin, Bůžková Petra, Carlson Christopher S., Cochran Barbara, Cole Shelley A., Devereux Richard B., Duggan Dave, Eaton Charles B., Fornage Myriam, Franceschini Nora, Haessler Jeff, Howard Barbara V., Johnson Karen C., Laston Sandra, Kolonel Laurence N., Lee Elisa T., MacCluer Jean W., Manolio Teri A., Pendergrass Sarah A., Quibrera Miguel, Shohet Ralph V., Wilkens Lynne R., Haiman Christopher A., Le Marchand Loïc, Buyske Steven, Kooperberg Charles, North Kari E., Crawford Dana C.
Primary Institution: Vanderbilt University
Hypothesis
Do GWAS-identified genetic variants associated with lipid traits generalize across diverse populations?
Conclusion
The majority of GWAS-identified SNPs for HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides replicated in European Americans and generalized to non-European-descent populations.
Supporting Evidence
- The study replicated 55 of 60 SNP associations tested in European Americans at p<0.05.
- A majority of replicated genotype-phenotype associations for HDL-C, LDL-C, and ln(TG) in European Americans generalized to African Americans, American Indians, and Mexican Americans/Hispanics.
- Overall, 16 associations generalized across all three populations.
Takeaway
Scientists studied how certain genes affect cholesterol and fat levels in different groups of people. They found that many of these genes work similarly across different races.
Methodology
The study involved genotyping 49 SNPs associated with lipid traits across six racial/ethnic groups and performing meta-analyses to test for associations.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the majority of GWAS being conducted in populations of European descent.
Limitations
Sample sizes for some populations were smaller, leading to underpowered tests of association.
Participant Demographics
Participants included European Americans (~20,000), African Americans (~9,000), American Indians (~6,000), Mexican Americans/Hispanics (~2,500), Japanese/East Asians (~690), and Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiians (~175).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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