Summary: Researchers have discovered a genetic link between rapid growth in height during puberty and increased health risks in adulthood, such as atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes and lung cancer. The study analyzed growth patterns using data from 56,000 individuals, identifying 26 genes that influence growth dynamics during puberty.
These findings reveal how specific genetic factors linked to pubertal growth can have long-term impacts on health, highlighting the importance of personalized medical approaches based on genetic profiles. The research provides crucial insights into how early life growth can inform risk management for various adult diseases.
Highlights:
- Genetic factors identified: The researchers identified 26 genes associated with the magnitude, timing and intensity of pubertal growth spurts.
- Health consequences: Being taller at the start of puberty and growing rapidly is linked to higher risks of several health problems in adults, including atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes and lung cancer.
- Large-scale analysis: The study used extensive data from individuals from diverse backgrounds to analyze pubertal growth patterns and their long-term health effects.
Source: University of Surrey
A genetic link between height growth during puberty and long-term health in adulthood has been identified by a new study from the University of Surrey and the University of Pennsylvania published in Genome biology.
Researchers have found that being taller at the start of puberty and growing rapidly during this time is linked to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation later in life.
The research team tested whether genetics played a role in pubertal growth patterns and health problems across the lifespan. Growth during this period may be heritable, but the specific genetic factors underlying growth trajectories remain largely unknown.
To address this knowledge gap, the researchers used a growth curve analysis of 56,000 people from various ancestral backgrounds, containing their height measurements from the age of five to adulthood. This data gave researchers a comprehensive view of growth patterns in different populations and time periods.
Dr Zhanna Balkhiyarova, study co-author and lead postdoctoral researcher from the University of Surrey, said: “Our study highlights the importance of large-scale genetic analyzes to elucidate the complexities of human health.
“Using Big Data, we are revealing new insights into the genetic factors that affect growth during puberty and their long-term effects. With each discovery, we move closer to a medicine that meets the unique needs of each individual.
The researchers identified 26 genes associated with various aspects of pubertal growth, including the magnitude, timing and intensity of the growth spurt. Further studying the lifelong impact of genetic variants associated with pubertal growth trajectories, researchers also analyzed genetic correlation and phenotypes (observable characteristics of an individual) on Penn Medicine data Biobank and the UK Biobank.
Using this data, the team discovered, for the first time, the genetic relationships between childhood height growth and a wide range of health problems across a person’s life.
Being taller at the onset of puberty and experiencing faster pubertal growth were associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, an irregular and abnormally fast heart rate later in life.
They also found that individuals with a faster pubertal growth rate had higher levels of bone mineral density, higher levels of insulin resistance, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and lung cancer. .
Dr Anna Ulrich, formerly of the University of Surrey, said: “Our results challenge the notion of a single optimal growth pattern. Instead, they highlight the complex interplay between genetics and health, emphasizing the importance of personalized approaches to health management.
Professor Inga Prokopenko, principal investigator of the study, Professor of e-One Health and Head of Statistical Multi-Omics at the University of Surrey, said: “This study represents a major advance in understanding the genetic basis of pubertal growth and its distant consequences. -considerable implications for health throughout life.
“As we uncover the secrets encoded in our DNA, we move closer to a future where tailored interventions based on individual genetic profiles will revolutionize health care. »
About this news from research in genetics and neurodevelopment
Author: Jeanne Balkhiyarova
Source: University of Surrey
Contact: Zhanna Balkhiyarova – University of Surrey
Picture: Image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Free access.
“Genome-wide trans-ancestral association study of longitudinal pubertal height growth and shared heritability with adult health outcomes” by Jonathan P. Bradfield et al. Genome biology
Abstract
Genome-wide trans-ancestral association study of longitudinal pubertal height growth and shared heritability with adult health outcomes
Background
Pubertal growth patterns correlate with future health outcomes. However, the genetic mechanisms that mediate growth trajectories remain largely unknown. Here, we modeled longitudinal height growth with superimposed translation and rotation (SITAR) growth curve analysis on approximately 56,000 trans-ascending samples with repeated height measurements from age 5 years into adulthood.
We performed genetic analysis on six phenotypes representing the magnitude, timing, and intensity of the pubertal growth spurt. To investigate the lifelong impact of genetic variants associated with pubertal growth trajectories, we performed genetic correlation analyzes and phenomenon-wide association studies in the Penn Medicine BioBank and UK Biobank .
Results
Large-scale growth modeling provides unprecedented insight into adolescent growth in contemporary and 20th century pediatric cohorts. We identify 26 genome-wide significant loci and exploit trans-ascending data to perform fine mapping. Our data reveal genetic relationships between children’s height growth and health across the lifespan, with different growth trajectories correlated with different outcomes.
For example, faster pubertal growth rate correlates with higher bone mineral density, HOMA-IR, fasting insulin, type 2 diabetes, and lung cancer, whereas being taller early in puberty, being taller throughout puberty and having faster pubertal growth were associated with higher risk of atrial fibrillation.
Conclusion
We report novel genetic associations with the timing of pubertal growth and find that genetic determinants of growth correlate with reproductive, glycemic, respiratory, and cardiac traits in adulthood. These findings help identify specific growth trajectories impacting health across the lifespan and show that there may not be a single “optimal” pubertal growth pattern.
News Source : neurosciencenews.com
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