Nine loci for ocular axial length identified through genome-wide association studies, including shared loci with refractive error

Am J Hum Genet. 2013 Aug 8;93(2):264-77. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2013.06.016.

Abstract

Refractive errors are common eye disorders of public health importance worldwide. Ocular axial length (AL) is the major determinant of refraction and thus of myopia and hyperopia. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for AL, combining 12,531 Europeans and 8,216 Asians. We identified eight genome-wide significant loci for AL (RSPO1, C3orf26, LAMA2, GJD2, ZNRF3, CD55, MIP, and ALPPL2) and confirmed one previously reported AL locus (ZC3H11B). Of the nine loci, five (LAMA2, GJD2, CD55, ALPPL2, and ZC3H11B) were associated with refraction in 18 independent cohorts (n = 23,591). Differential gene expression was observed for these loci in minus-lens-induced myopia mouse experiments and human ocular tissues. Two of the AL genes, RSPO1 and ZNRF3, are involved in Wnt signaling, a pathway playing a major role in the regulation of eyeball size. This study provides evidence of shared genes between AL and refraction, but importantly also suggests that these traits may have unique pathways.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Asian People
  • Axial Length, Eye / metabolism*
  • Axial Length, Eye / pathology
  • Eye Proteins / genetics*
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Loci*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Refractive Errors / ethnology
  • Refractive Errors / genetics*
  • Refractive Errors / pathology
  • Signal Transduction
  • White People

Substances

  • Eye Proteins