Cigarette smoking reduces DNA methylation levels at multiple genomic loci but the effect is partially reversible upon cessation.

ABSTRACT: Smoking is a major risk factor in many diseases. Genome wide association studies have linked genes for nicotine dependence and smoking behavior to increased risk of cardiovascular, pulmonary, and malignant diseases. We conducted an epigenome wide association study in peripheral-blood DNA in 464 individuals (22 current smokers and 263 ex-smokers), using the Human Methylation 450 K array. Upon replication in an independent sample of 356 twins (41 current and 104 ex-smokers), we identified 30 probes in 15 distinct loci, all of which reached genome-wide significance in the combined analysis P < 5 × 10(-8). All but one probe (cg17024919) remained significant after adjusting for blood cell counts. We replicated all 9 known loci and found an independent signal at CPOX near GPR15. In addition, we

SUBMITTER: Tsaprouni LG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4623553 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature