SNPs located at CpG sites modulate genome-epigenome interaction

Degui Zhi, Stella Aslibekyan, Marguerite R. Irvin, Steven A. Claas, Ingrid B. Borecki, Jose M. Ordovas, Devin M. Absher, Donna K. Arnett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

124 Scopus citations

Abstract

DNA methylation is an important molecular-level phenotype that links genotypes and complex disease traits. Previous studies have found local correlation between genetic variants and DNA methylation levels (cis-meQTLs). However, general mechanisms underlying cis-meQTLs are unclear. We conducted a cis-meQTL analysis of the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network data (n = 593). We found that over 80% of genetic variants at CpG sites (meSNPs) are meQTL loci (P-value < 10-9), and meSNPs account for over two thirds of the strongest meQTL signals (P-value < 10-200). Beyond direct effects on the methylation of the meSNP site, the CpG-disrupting allele of meSNPs were associated with lowered methylation of CpG sites located within 45 bp. The effect of meSNPs extends to as far as 10 kb and can contribute to the observed meQTL signals in the surrounding region, likely through correlated methylation patterns and linkage disequilibrium. Therefore, meSNPs are behind a large portion of observed meQTL signals and play a crucial role in the biological process linking genetic variation to epigenetic changes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)802-806
Number of pages5
JournalEpigenetics
Volume8
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

Keywords

  • DNA methylation
  • Epigenome-wide study
  • Infinium human methylation 450K beadchip
  • meQTL
  • meSNP

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

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