Rosemarie Grabs

A genome-wide association study identifies KIAA0350 as a type 1 diabetes gene.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, leading to insufficient production of insulin. A number of genetic determinants of T1D have already been established through candidate gene studies, primarily within the major histocompatibility complex but also within other loci. To identify new genetic factors that increase the risk of T1D, we performed a genome-wide association study in a large paediatric cohort of European descent. In addition to confirming previously identified loci, we found that T1D was significantly associated with variation within a 233-kb linkage disequilibrium block on chromosome 16p13. This region contains KIAA0350, the gene product of which is predicted to be a sugar-binding, C-type lectin. Three common non-coding variants of the gene (rs2903692, rs725613 and rs17673553) in strong linkage disequilibrium reached genome-wide significance for association with T1D. A subsequent transmission disequilibrium test replication study in an independent cohort confirmed the association. These results indicate that KIAA0350 might be involved in the pathogenesis of T1D and demonstrate the utility of the genome-wide association approach in the identification of previously unsuspected genetic determinants of complex traits.

A Novel Susceptibility Locus for Type 1 Diabetes on Chr12q13 Identified by a Genome-Wide Association Study

OBJECTIVE—In stage 1 of our genome-wide association (GWA) study for type 1 diabetes, one locus at 16p13 was detected (P = 1.03 × 10−10) and confirmed in two additional cohorts. Here we describe the results of testing, in these additional cohorts, 23 loci that were next in rank of statistical significance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Two independent cohorts were studied. The Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium replication cohort consisted of 549 families with at least one child diagnosed with diabetes (946 total affected) and DNA from both parents. The Canadian replication cohort consisted of 364 nuclear family trios with one type 1 diabetes–affected offspring and two parents (1,092 individuals). RESULTS—One locus at 12q13, with the highest statistical significance among the 23, was confirmed. It involves type 1 diabetes association with the minor allele of rs1701704 (P = 9.13 × 10−10, OR 1.25 [95% CI 1.12–1.40]). CONCLUSIONS—We have discovered a type 1 diabetes locus at 12q13 that is replicated in an independent cohort of type 1 diabetic patients and confers a type 1 diabetes risk comparable with that of the 16p13 locus we recently reported. These two loci are identical to two loci identified by the whole-genome association study of the Wellcome Trust Case-Control Consortium, a parallel independent discovery that adds further support to the validity of the GWA approach.

Follow-up analysis of genome-wide association data identifies novel loci for type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE—Two recent genome-wide association (GWA) studies have revealed novel loci for type 1 diabetes, a common multifactorial disease with a strong genetic component. To fully utilize the GWA data that we had obtained by genotyping 563 type 1 diabetes probands and 1,146 control subjects, as well as 483 case subject–parent trios, using the Illumina HumanHap550 BeadChip, we designed a full stage 2 study to capture other possible association signals. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—From our existing datasets, we selected 982 markers with P < 0.05 in both GWA cohorts. Genotyping these in an independent set of 636 nuclear families with 974 affected offspring revealed 75 markers that also had P < 0.05 in this third cohort. Among these, six single nucleotide polymorphisms in five novel loci also had P < 0.05 in the Wellcome Trust Case-Control Consortium dataset and were further tested in 1,303 type 1 diabetes probands from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) plus 1,673 control subjects. RESULTS—Two markers (rs9976767 and rs3757247) remained significant after adjusting for the number of tests in this last cohort; they reside in UBASH3A (OR 1.16; combined P = 2.33 × 10−8) and BACH2 (1.13; combined P = 1.25 × 10−6). CONCLUSIONS—Evaluation of a large number of statistical GWA candidates in several independent cohorts has revealed additional loci that are associated with type 1 diabetes. The two genes at these respective loci, UBASH3A and BACH2, are both biologically relevant to autoimmunity.

The association between the IFIH1 locus and type 1 diabetes

Aims/hypothesisWe set out to validate a recently reported type 1 diabetes association from the IFIH1 gene variation in an independent cohort from a population of mixed European descent.MethodsWe genotyped five single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the IFIH1 locus, i.e. rs2111485, rs1990760, rs3747517, rs17783344 and rs984971589, in 589 type 1 diabetes nuclear family trios (1,767 individuals).ResultsThis study independently replicated the reported genetic association using a family-based approach.Conclusions/interpretationThe reported type 1 diabetes association is from a linkage disequilibrium region including three candidate genes, i.e. FAP, IFIH1 and GCA. Further variant discovery and fine mapping could help clarify a novel type 1 diabetes mechanism.

Type 1 diabetes and the OAS gene cluster: association with splicing polymorphism or haplotype?

Background: The 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase genes (OAS1, OAS2, and OAS3) map to human chromosome 12q24 and encode a family of enzymes pivotal to innate antiviral defence. Recently, the minor allele of an OAS1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that alters splicing (rs10774671) was found to be associated with increased enzymatic activity and, in a case-sibling control study, with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: We have confirmed this T1D association in 784 nuclear families (two parents and at least one affected offspring) by the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT; G:A = 386:329, p = 0.033). However, because of linkage disequilibrium within OAS1 and with the other two OAS genes, functional attribution of the association to this SNP cannot be assumed. To help answer this question, we also genotyped two non-synonymous SNPs in OAS1 exons 3 and 7. Results: All three SNPs showed significant transmission distortion. Three of the eight possible haplotypes accounted for 98.4% of parental chromosomes and two of them carried the non-predisposing A allele at rs10774671. Parents heterozygous for these two haplotypes showed significant transmission distortion (p = 0.009) despite being homozygous at rs10774671. Conclusions: We confirm the T1D association with rs10774671, but we conclude that it cannot be attributed (solely) to the splicing variant rs10774671. A serine/glycine substitution in OAS1 exon 3 is more likely a functional variant.

A cis-Acting Regulatory Variant in the IL2RA Locus

The mechanism for the association of type 1 diabetes (T1D) with IL2RA remains to be clarified. Neither of the two distinct, transmission-disequilibrium confirmed loci mapping to this gene can be explained by a coding variant. An effect on the levels of the soluble protein product sIL-2RA has been reported but its cause and relationship to disease risk is not clear. To look for an allelic effect on IL2RA transcription in cis, we examined RNA from 48 heterozygous lymphocyte samples for differential allele expression. Of the 48 samples, 32 showed statistically significant allelic imbalance. No known single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) had perfect correlation with this transcriptional effect but the one that showed the most significant (p = 1.6 × 10−5) linkage disequilibrium with it was the SNP rs3118470. We had previously shown rs3118470 to confer T1D susceptibility in a Canadian dataset, independently of rs41295061 as the major reported locus (p = 5 × 10−3, after accounting for rs41295061 by conditional regression). Lower IL2RA levels consistently originated from the T1D predisposing allele. We conclude that an as yet unidentified variant or haplotype, best marked by rs3118470, is responsible for this independent effect and increases T1D risk through diminished expression of the IL-2R, likely by interfering with the proper development of regulatory T cells.

Genome-wide search for exonic variants affecting translational efficiency

The search for expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) has traditionally centered entirely on the process of transcription, whereas variants with effects on mRNA translation have not been systematically studied. Here we present a high throughput approach for measuring translational cis-regulation in the human genome. Using ribosomal association as proxy for translational efficiency of polymorphic mRNAs, we test the ratio of polysomal/nonpolysomal mRNA level as a quantitative trait for association with single-nucleotide polymorphisms on the same mRNA transcript. We identify one important ribosomal-distribution effect, from rs1131017 in the 5’UTR of RPS26 , that is in high linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the 12q13 locus for susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. The effect on translation is confirmed at the protein level by quantitative Western blots, both ex vivo and after in vitro translation. Our results are a proof-of-principle that allelic effects on translation can be detected at a transcriptome-wide scale.

A founder AGL mutation causing glycogen storage disease type IIIa in Inuit identified through whole-exome sequencing: a case series

Background: Glycogen storage disease type III is caused by mutations in both alleles of the AGL gene, which leads to reduced activity of glycogen-debranching enzyme. The clinical picture encompasses hypoglycemia, with glycogen accumulation leading to hepatomegaly and muscle involvement (skeletal and cardiac). We sought to identify the genetic cause of this disease within the Inuit community of Nunavik, in whom previous DNA sequencing had not identified such mutations. Methods: Five Inuit children with a clinical and biochemical diagnosis of glycogen storage disease type IIIa were recruited to undergo genetic testing: 2 underwent whole-exome sequencing and all 5 underwent Sanger sequencing to confirm the identified mutation. Selected DNA regions near the AGL gene were also sequenced to identify a potential founder effect in the community. In addition, control samples from 4 adults of European descent and 7 family members of the affected children were analyzed for the specific mutation by Sanger sequencing. Results: We identified a homozygous frame-shift deletion, c.4456delT, in exon 33 of the AGL gene in 2 children by whole-exome sequencing. Confirmation by Sanger sequencing showed the same mutation in all 5 patients, and 5 family members were found to be carriers. With the identification of this mutation in 5 probands, the estimated prevalence of genetically confirmed glycogen storage disease type IIIa in this region is among the highest worldwide (1:2500). Despite identical mutations, we saw variations in clinical features of the disease. Interpretation: Our detection of a homozygous frameshift mutation in 5 Inuit children determines the cause of glycogen storage disease type IIIa and confirms a founder effect.