X-chromosome variants are associated with aldosterone producing adenomas

Sci Rep. 2021 May 18;11(1):10562. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-89986-8.

Abstract

Aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) are a major cause of primary aldosteronism (PA) and are characterized by constitutively producing aldosterone, which leads to hypertension. Several mutations have been identified in ion channels or ion channel-associated genes that result in APAs. To date, no studies have used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach to search for predisposing loci for APAs. Thus, we investigated Scandinavian APA cases (n = 35) and Swedish controls (n = 60) in a GWAS and discovered a susceptibility locus on chromosome Xq13.3 (rs2224095, OR = 7.9, 95% CI = 2.8-22.4, P = 1 × 10-7) in a 4-Mb region that was significantly associated with APA. Direct genotyping of sentinel SNP rs2224095 in a replication cohort of APAs (n = 83) and a control group (n = 740) revealed persistently strong significance (OR = 6.1, 95% CI = 3.5-10.6, p < 0.0005). We sequenced an adjacent gene, MAGEE1, of the sentinel SNP and identified a rare variant in one APA, p.Gly327Glu, which is complementary to other mutations in our primary cohort. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) were investigated on the X-chromosome, and 24 trans-eQTL were identified. Some of the genes identified by trans-eQTL point towards a novel mechanistic explanation for the association of the SNPs with APAs. In conclusion, our study provides further insights into the genetic basis of APAs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / genetics*
  • Adenoma / metabolism*
  • Aldosterone / biosynthesis*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chromosomes, Human, X*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Quantitative Trait Loci

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • MAGEE1 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Aldosterone