Genetic Study of Complex Diseases in the Post-GWAS Era. Issue 3 (20th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Qingyang
• Is Part Of: Journal of genetics and genomics. Volume 42:Issue 3(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 87
• Page End: 98
• Publication Date: 2015-03-20
• Subjects: SNP -- Genome-wide association study -- Complex diseases -- Systems genetics -- Network biology; Genetics -- Periodicals; Genomics -- Periodicals; 576.505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2015.02.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1673-8527

Abstract

Abstract: Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified thousands of genes and genetic variants (mainly SNPs) that contribute to complex diseases in humans. Functional characterization and mechanistic elucidation of these SNPs and genes action are the next major challenge. It has been well established that SNPs altering the amino acids of protein-coding genes can drastically impact protein function, and play an important role in molecular pathogenesis. Functions of regulatory SNPs can be complex and elusive, and involve gene expression regulation through the effect on RNA splicing, transcription factor binding, DNA methylation and miRNA recruitment. In the present review, we summarize the recent progress in our understanding of functional consequences of GWAS-associated non-coding regulatory SNPs, and discuss the application of systems genetics and network biology in the interpretation of GWAS findings.