SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity are associated with genetic variants affecting gene expression in a variety of tissues

Variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity between individuals is partly due to genetic factors. Here, we identify 4 genomic loci with suggestive associations for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and 19 for COVID-19 disease severity. Four of these 23 loci likely have an ethnicity-specific component. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals in 11 loci colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with the expression of 20 genes in 62 tissues/cell types (range: 1:43 tissues/gene), including lung, brain, heart, muscle, and skin as well as the digestive system and immune system. We perform genetic fine mapping to compute 99% credible SNP sets, which identify 10 GWAS loci that have eight or fewer SNPs in the credible set, including three loci with one single likely causal SNP. Our study suggests that the diverse symptoms and disease severity of COVID-19 observed between individuals is associated with variants across the genome, affecting gene expression levels in a wide variety of tissue types

Dissecting the Shared Genetic Architecture of Suicide Attempt, Psychiatric Disorders, and Known Risk Factors

Background Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, and nonfatal suicide attempts, which occur far more frequently, are a major source of disability and social and economic burden. Both have substantial genetic etiology, which is partially shared and partially distinct from that of related psychiatric disorders. Methods We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 29,782 suicide attempt (SA) cases and 519,961 controls in the International Suicide Genetics Consortium (ISGC). The GWAS of SA was conditioned on psychiatric disorders using GWAS summary statistics via multitrait-based conditional and joint analysis, to remove genetic effects on SA mediated by psychiatric disorders. We investigated the shared and divergent genetic architectures of SA, psychiatric disorders, and other known risk factors. Results Two loci reached genome-wide significance for SA: the major histocompatibility complex and an intergenic locus on chromosome 7, the latter of which remained associated with SA after conditioning on psychiatric disorders and replicated in an independent cohort from the Million Veteran Program. This locus has been implicated in risk-taking behavior, smoking, and insomnia. SA showed strong genetic correlation with psychiatric disorders, particularly major depression, and also with smoking, pain, risk-taking behavior, sleep disturbances, lower educational attainment, reproductive traits, lower socioeconomic status, and poorer general health. After conditioning on psychiatric disorders, the genetic correlations between SA and psychiatric disorders decreased, whereas those with nonpsychiatric traits remained largely unchanged. Conclusions Our results identify a risk locus that contributes more strongly to SA than other phenotypes and suggest a shared underlying biology between SA and known risk factors that is not mediated by psychiatric disorders.Peer reviewe

A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

peer reviewe

Wolbachia: A screening of potential host organisms [abstract]

Abstract only availableWolbachia are gram-negative bacteria that infect 70% of invertebrates. Previous research in the Davis laboratory, by graduate student Kelli Barr, indicates that WCR-vectored Wolbachia can affect gene expression in Zea mays L. as a consequence of insect feeding. Specifically, Wolbachia turns off host defense genes. Given the ability of WCR-vectored Wolbachia to alter maize gene expression, we wanted to determine whether other pests of maize carry Wolbachia as a first step towards evaluating the extent to which insect-vectored Wolbachia might affect plant gene expression. In addition, several pests of Arabidopsis were also tested for Wolbachia since this plant offers the advantage of shorter generation time. DNA was extracted using a modification of the Qiagen DNEasy kit. The DNA was then amplified via PCR with Wolbachia-specific primers. The PCR products were then electrophoresed on a 0.8% agarose gel with positive and negative controls to determine whether Wolbachia was present. In a second experiment, insects that rapidly overcome chemical control were tested for the presence of Wolbachia and the specific strain of Wolbachia. Since Wolbachia is an obligate parasite in most insects and can induce genetic drive, as well as affect plant gene expression, we hypothesize that the difference in mutation rate and selection pressure on the bacterial compared to the insect genome may explain some insect's ability to easily overcome chemical control. DNA was prepared from these insects and tested for Wolbachia as described above. Wolbachia positive insects were assayed with a standard set of primers to delineate the strain of Wolbachia they carry. Future studies will examine whether Wolbachia vectored by other maize pests can cause similar changes in maize gene expression as those demonstrated with the western corn rootworm

Fatty Acid Oxidation Mediated by Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long Chain 3 Is Required for Mutant KRAS Lung Tumorigenesis

KRAS is one of the most commonly mutated oncogenes in human cancer. Mutant KRAS aberrantly regulates metabolic networks. However, the contribution of cellular metabolism to mutant KRAS tumorigenesis is not completely understood. We report that mutant KRAS regulates intracellular fatty acid metabolism through Acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase long-chain family member 3 (ACSL3), which converts fatty acids into fatty Acyl-CoA esters, the substrates for lipid synthesis and β-oxidation. ACSL3 suppression is associated with depletion of cellular ATP and causes the death of lung cancer cells. Furthermore, mutant KRAS promotes the cellular uptake, retention, accumulation, and β-oxidation of fatty acids in lung cancer cells in an ACSL3-dependent manner. Finally, ACSL3 is essential for mutant KRAS lung cancer tumorigenesis in vivo and is highly expressed in human lung cancer. Our data demonstrate that mutant KRAS reprograms lipid homeostasis, establishing a metabolic requirement that could be exploited for therapeutic gain

Severe Monkeypox in Hospitalized Patients - United States, August 10-October 10, 2022.

As of October 21, 2022, a total of 27,884 monkeypox cases (confirmed and probable) have been reported in the United States.§ Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men have constituted a majority of cases, and persons with HIV infection and those from racial and ethnic minority groups have been disproportionately affected (1,2). During previous monkeypox outbreaks, severe manifestations of disease and poor outcomes have been reported among persons with HIV infection, particularly those with AIDS (3-5). This report summarizes findings from CDC clinical consultations provided for 57 patients aged ≥18 years who were hospitalized with severe manifestations of monkeypox¶ during August 10-October 10, 2022, and highlights three clinically representative cases. Overall, 47 (82%) patients had HIV infection, four (9%) of whom were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) before monkeypox diagnosis. Most patients were male (95%) and 68% were non-Hispanic Black (Black). Overall, 17 (30%) patients received intensive care unit (ICU)-level care, and 12 (21%) have died. As of this report, monkeypox was a cause of death or contributing factor in five of these deaths; six deaths remain under investigation to determine whether monkeypox was a causal or contributing factor; and in one death, monkeypox was not a cause or contributing factor.** Health care providers and public health professionals should be aware that severe morbidity and mortality associated with monkeypox have been observed during the current outbreak in the United States (6,7), particularly among highly immunocompromised persons. Providers should test all sexually active patients with suspected monkeypox for HIV at the time of monkeypox testing unless a patient is already known to have HIV infection. Providers should consider early commencement and extended duration of monkeypox-directed therapy†† in highly immunocompromised patients with suspected or laboratory-diagnosed monkeypox.§§ Engaging all persons with HIV in sustained care remains a critical public health priority

Large-scale genomic analyses link reproductive aging to hypothalamic signaling, breast cancer susceptibility and BRCA1-mediated DNA repair.

Menopause timing has a substantial impact on infertility and risk of disease, including breast cancer, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We report a dual strategy in ∼70,000 women to identify common and low-frequency protein-coding variation associated with age at natural menopause (ANM). We identified 44 regions with common variants, including two regions harboring additional rare missense alleles of large effect. We found enrichment of signals in or near genes involved in delayed puberty, highlighting the first molecular links between the onset and end of reproductive lifespan. Pathway analyses identified major association with DNA damage response (DDR) genes, including the first common coding variant in BRCA1 associated with any complex trait. Mendelian randomization analyses supported a causal effect of later ANM on breast cancer risk (∼6% increase in risk per year; P = 3 × 10(-14)), likely mediated by prolonged sex hormone exposure rather than DDR mechanisms

Large-scale genomic analyses link reproductive aging to hypothalamic signaling, breast cancer susceptibility and BRCA1-mediated DNA repair.

Menopause timing has a substantial impact on infertility and risk of disease, including breast cancer, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We report a dual strategy in ∼70,000 women to identify common and low-frequency protein-coding variation associated with age at natural menopause (ANM). We identified 44 regions with common variants, including two regions harboring additional rare missense alleles of large effect. We found enrichment of signals in or near genes involved in delayed puberty, highlighting the first molecular links between the onset and end of reproductive lifespan. Pathway analyses identified major association with DNA damage response (DDR) genes, including the first common coding variant in BRCA1 associated with any complex trait. Mendelian randomization analyses supported a causal effect of later ANM on breast cancer risk (∼6% increase in risk per year; P = 3 × 10(-14)), likely mediated by prolonged sex hormone exposure rather than DDR mechanisms

Large-scale genomic analyses link reproductive aging to hypothalamic signaling, breast cancer susceptibility, and BRCA1-mediated DNA repair [editorial comment]

ABSTRACT: Menopause timing has a major impact on infertility and risk of disease. Younger age at natural (nonsurgical) menopause (ANM) is associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes and a lower risk of breast cancer. Late menopause is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. It is well known that the age at which women go through menopause is partly determined by genes, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Genome-wide association studies have identified 18 common genetic variants associated with ANM. These variants explain less than 5% of the variation in ANM compared with the 21% explained by all common variants on genome-wide association study arrays. This genome-wide association study was the collaborative effort of researchers from 177 institutions worldwide. The study was designed to investigate genetic variants associated with timing of menopause among a population of approximately 70,000 women of European ancestry. A dual strategy was used to identify both common and, for the first time, low-frequency coding variants associated with ANM. The causal relationship between ANM and breast cancer was investigated using a Mendelian randomization approach. Combined analysis identified 1208 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of a total of approximately 2.6 million that reached the genome-wide significance threshold for association with ANM. Forty-four regions with common variants were identified; among these 44 loci were 2 rare low-frequency missense alleles of large effect. A majority of ANM SNPs were enriched in DNA damage response (DDR) genes, including the first common coding variant in BRCA1 associated with any complex trait. Mendelian randomization analyses supported a causal relationship between delayed ANM and breast cancer risk; there was approximately 6% increase in risk per year; P = 3 × 10-14); increased risk with delayed menopause appeared to be mediated primarily by prolonged sex hormone exposure in a woman’s lifetime, not DDR mechanisms. This is the first study to confirm the link between early and late menopause and breast cancer risk using genetic information. Age at natural menopause genetic variants influence breast cancer risk primarily through variation in menopause timing. Although carrying higher numbers of ANM-increasing variants and enrichment in DDR genes are associated with a modest increase in breast cancer risk, the major mechanism for increased risk appears to be prolonged estrogen and/or progesterone exposure due to delayed menopause

Large-scale genomic analyses link reproductive aging to hypothalamic signaling, breast cancer susceptibility and BRCA1-mediated DNA repair

Copyright © 2015, Rights Managed by Nature Publishing GroupThis is the author's version of an article subsequently published in definitive form at: Nature Genetics (2015) doi:10.1038/ng.3412See supplementary documents for full affiliations and acknowledgmentsMenopause timing has a substantial impact on infertility and risk of disease, including breast cancer, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We report a dual strategy in ∼70,000 women to identify common and low-frequency protein-coding variation associated with age at natural menopause (ANM). We identified 44 regions with common variants, including two regions harboring additional rare missense alleles of large effect. We found enrichment of signals in or near genes involved in delayed puberty, highlighting the first molecular links between the onset and end of reproductive lifespan. Pathway analyses identified major association with DNA damage response (DDR) genes, including the first common coding variant in BRCA1 associated with any complex trait. Mendelian randomization analyses supported a causal effect of later ANM on breast cancer risk (∼6% increase in risk per year; P = 3 × 10(-14)), likely mediated by prolonged sex hormone exposure rather than DDR mechanisms