Rare and Common Regulatory Variation in Population-Scale Sequenced Human Genomes
2011

Rare and Common Regulatory Variation in Population-Scale Sequenced Human Genomes

Sample size: 60 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Montgomery Stephen B., Lappalainen Tuuli, Gutierrez-Arcelus Maria, Dermitzakis Emmanouil T., Barsh Gregory S.

Primary Institution: Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland

Hypothesis

How do rare and common genetic variants influence gene expression patterns?

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that population-scale sequencing reveals a significant number of novel regulatory variants that influence gene expression.

Supporting Evidence

  • 80% of the top expression quantitative trait variants discovered from 1000 genomes data are novel.
  • 46.2% of nonsynonymous variants are differentially expressed in at least one individual.
  • Individuals with outlier expression values have an excess of rare variants.

Takeaway

Scientists looked at how different genetic changes affect how genes work in people, finding many new changes that can affect gene activity.

Methodology

The study used RNA sequencing data and genetic variants from the 1000 Genomes Project to analyze gene expression.

Limitations

The study may not capture all regulatory variants due to the complexity of gene regulation.

Participant Demographics

The study included individuals from African and European populations.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p≤0.05

Statistical Significance

p≤0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pgen.1002144

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