Genome-Wide Analysis of Disordered Eating Behavior in the Mexican Population

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Genomics
• Psychiatry
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Eating disorders (ED) involve complex genetic underpinnings that remain underexplored.
• Shared genetic factors across different ED diagnoses require further investigation.
• Understanding the genetic architecture of ED is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate shared genetic factors contributing to disordered eating behaviors in the Mexican population.
• To identify specific genetic variants and their functional implications in ED.
• To explore the relationship between genetic variation, DNA methylation, and ED.

Main Methods:

• Genome-wide association study (GWAS) and blood methylation quantitative trait loci (blood-meQTL) analysis.
• Summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) analysis.
• In silico functional variant prediction, phenome-wide, and multi-tissue expression quantitative trait loci analyses.

Main Results:

• Identified 44 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) nominally associated with ED and seven blood-meQTLs at genome-wide significance.
• SNPs were enriched in genome-wide associations related to metabolic and immunologic domains.
• SNP rs10419198 potentially affects PRR12 expression in relevant tissues; SETBP1 and SEMG1 methylation levels were associated via SMR analysis.

Conclusions:

• The study supports existing associations between genetic variation in the metabolic domain and ED.
• Identified specific genetic variants and methylation patterns that may contribute to ED pathophysiology.
• Highlights the importance of integrating genetic and epigenetic data for a comprehensive understanding of ED.