Genetic polymorphisms of GPR126 are functionally associated with PUMC classifications of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in a Northern Han population.

Gang Liu,Sen Zhao,Xiaoxin Li,Sen Liu,Guixing Qiu,Jiaqi Liu,Yuchen Niu,Mao Lin,Nan Wu,Yuzhi Zuo,Bo Long,Weisheng Chen,Zhihong Wu

doi:10.1111/jcmm.13486

Abstract

GPR126 has been identified to be associated with AIS (Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis) in different populations, but data on the northern Chinese population are unavailable. Additionally, it is important to know the exact clinical phenotypes associated with specific genetic polymorphisms. Fourteen SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) loci in GPR126 were genotyped in 480 northern Chinese Han AIS patients and 841 controls. These patients were classified into three types based on the PUMC classification system. Luciferase assays were used to investigate their regulation of GPR126 transcription activity. Combined and stratified genotype–phenotype association analyses were conducted. The alleles rs225694, rs7774095 and rs2294773 were significantly associated with AIS (P = 0.021, 0.048 and 0.023, respectively). rs225694 and rs7774095 potentially have regulatory functions for the GRP126 gene. Correlation analysis revealed that allele A of rs225694 was a risk allele only for PUMC type II AIS (P = 0.036) and allele G of rs2294773 was a risk allele only for PUMC type I AIS (P = 0.018). In summary, rs225694, rs7774095 and rs2294773 are significantly associated with disease in northern Chinese Han AIS patients. The SNPs rs225694 and rs2294773 are associated with different AIS PUMC classifications.

Highlights

AIS is the most common spinal deformity, affecting approximately 1–3% of children throughout the world [1, 2]
A recent genomewide association study (GWAS) and other studies have identified several susceptible gene variants, such as GPR126 [8], LBX1 [9], PAX1 [10], BCN2 [11] and PTK7 [12], few of these variants have been replicated in different populations, and even fewer have been analysed with regard to different AIS subtypes
We suggested that GPR126 risk SNPs are potentially associated with the AIS Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) classification system

Summary

Introduction

AIS is the most common spinal deformity, affecting approximately 1–3% of children throughout the world [1, 2]. According to the PUMC classification, AIS can be classified into single (I), double (II), or triple (III) curve types. Despite decades of research on AIS, its exact aetiological and pathological causes remain unclear. Previous studies have suggested that genetic polymorphisms play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AIS [6, 7]. A recent genomewide association study (GWAS) and other studies have identified several susceptible gene variants, such as GPR126 [8], LBX1 [9], PAX1 [10], BCN2 [11] and PTK7 [12], few of these variants have been replicated in different populations, and even fewer have been analysed with regard to different AIS subtypes

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Results

Conclusion