Genome-wide identification of genes regulating DNA methylation using genetic anchors for causal inference.

ABSTRACT:

Background

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic modification in human development and disease, yet there is limited understanding of its highly coordinated regulation. Here, we identify 818 genes that affect DNA methylation patterns in blood using large-scale population genomics data.

Results

By employing genetic instruments as causal anchors, we establish directed associations between gene expression and distant DNA methylation levels, while ensuring specificity of the associations by correcting for linkage disequilibrium and pleiotropy among neighboring genes. The identified genes are enriched for transcription factors, of which many consistently increased or decreased DNA methylation levels at multiple CpG sites. In addition, we show that a substantial number of transcript

SUBMITTER: Hop PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7453518 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature