FGFRL1 and FGF genes are associated with height, hypertension, and osteoporosis

PLoS One. 2022 Aug 18;17(8):e0273237. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273237. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Hypertension and osteoporosis are two major disorders, which interact with each other. Specific genetic signals involving the fibroblast growth factor receptor-like 1 (FGFRL1) gene are related to high blood pressure and bone growth in giraffes. FGFRL1 is associated with cardiovascular system and bone formation. We performed an association study to investigate the role of FGFRL1 in hypertension, osteoporosis, and height determination in humans. In addition, we identified three kinds of phenotypes in fibroblast growth factor (FGF) genes and examined their association with the FGFRL1 gene. We identified 42 SNPs in the FGFRL1 gene associated with each trait. We then analyzed the potential functional annotation of each SNP. The FGFRL1 gene was found to be associated with height, hypertension, and osteoporosis, consistent with the results of a previous study. In addition, the FGF2, FGF4, FGF10, FGF18, and FGF22 genes were found to interact with the FGFRL1 gene. Our study suggests that both FGFRL1 and FGFRL1-related genes may determine the height and the prevalence of osteoporosis and hypertension in the Korean population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / genetics
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / genetics
  • Osteoporosis* / genetics
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 5 / genetics
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 5 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / metabolism

Substances

  • FGFRL1 protein, human
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 5
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Soonchunhyang University Research Fund [SCH-20211020] and a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIT) [NRF-2020R1F1A1071977]. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.