Multi-ancestry study of blood lipid levels identifies four loci interacting with physical activity

Nat Commun. 2019 Jan 22;10(1):376. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-08008-w.

Abstract

Many genetic loci affect circulating lipid levels, but it remains unknown whether lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, modify these genetic effects. To identify lipid loci interacting with physical activity, we performed genome-wide analyses of circulating HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in up to 120,979 individuals of European, African, Asian, Hispanic, and Brazilian ancestry, with follow-up of suggestive associations in an additional 131,012 individuals. We find four loci, in/near CLASP1, LHX1, SNTA1, and CNTNAP2, that are associated with circulating lipid levels through interaction with physical activity; higher levels of physical activity enhance the HDL cholesterol-increasing effects of the CLASP1, LHX1, and SNTA1 loci and attenuate the LDL cholesterol-increasing effect of the CNTNAP2 locus. The CLASP1, LHX1, and SNTA1 regions harbor genes linked to muscle function and lipid metabolism. Our results elucidate the role of physical activity interactions in the genetic contribution to blood lipid levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Asian People / genetics
  • Black People / genetics
  • Brazil
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, HDL / genetics
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / genetics
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Genetic Loci / genetics*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Genotype
  • Hispanic or Latino / genetics
  • Humans
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Lipid Metabolism / genetics
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Lipids / genetics*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Triglycerides / genetics
  • White People / genetics
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CLASP1 protein, human
  • CNTNAP2 protein, human
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • LHX1 protein, human
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
  • Lipids
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Triglycerides
  • syntrophin alpha1
  • Cholesterol

Grants and funding