Comparative genome-wide association studies in mice and humans for trimethylamine N-oxide, a proatherogenic metabolite of choline and L-carnitine.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Elevated levels of plasma trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), the product of gut microbiome and hepatic-mediated metabolism of dietary choline and L-carnitine, have recently been identified as a novel risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis in mice and humans. The goal of this study was to identify the genetic factors associated with plasma TMAO levels.

Approach and results

We used comparative genome-wide association study approaches to discover loci for plasma TMAO levels in mice and humans. A genome-wide association study in the hybrid mouse diversity panel identified a locus for TMAO levels on chromosome 3 (P=2.37 × 10(-6)) that colocalized with a highly significant (P=1.07 × 10(-20)) cis-expression quantitative trait locus for solute carrier family 30 mem

SUBMITTER: Hartiala J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4035110 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature