Cited by 784Genetic Associations and EpidemiologyBioinformatics and Genomic NetworksGenetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals

Beyond GWASs: Illuminating the Dark Road from Association to Function

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Edwards, Stacey L., Beesley, Jonathan, French, Juliet D., Dunning, Alison M.·2013·The American Journal of Human Genetics

Abstract

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have enabled the discovery of common genetic variation contributing to normal and pathological traits and clinical drug responses, but recognizing the precise targets of these associations is now the major challenge. Here, we review recent approaches to the functional follow-up of GWAS loci, including fine mapping of GWAS signal(s), prioritization of putative functional SNPs by the integration of genetic epidemiological and bioinformatic methods, and in vitro and in vivo experimental verification of predicted molecular mechanisms for identifying the targeted genes. The majority of GWAS-identified variants fall in noncoding regions of the genome. Therefore, this review focuses on strategies for assessing likely mechanisms affected by noncoding variants; such mechanisms include transcriptional regulation, noncoding RNA function, and epigenetic regulation. These approaches have already accelerated progress from genetic studies to biological knowledge and might ultimately guide the development of prognostic, preventive, and therapeutic measures.

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Authors
Edwards, S. L., Beesley, J., French, J. D., & Dunning, A. M.
Affiliations
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
  • QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (AU)
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
Corresponding author
Edwards, Stacey L.
Venue
The American Journal of Human Genetics
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-11
Volume
93
Issue
5
Pages
779-797
ISSN
0002-9297 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2001280003
Cited by
784
References
122
Citations by year
2026: 24 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 54 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 66 · 2021: 67 · 2020: 70 · 2019: 73 · 2018: 68 · 2017: 79 · 2016: 61 · 2015: 72 · 2014: 60 · 2013: 1
FWCI
7.94
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The American Journal of Human Genetics (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust
  • Cancer Research UK ((C8197/A10865), C1287‐A10118, 16565, (C8197/A10123))
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bioinformatics and Genomic Networks
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
Keywords
fine mapping, non-coding variants, transcriptional regulation, non-coding RNA, epigenetic regulation, genetic epidemiology, drug response, molecular mechanisms
MeSH terms
Animals, Chromosome Mapping, Humans, Neoplasms, Phenotype, Risk Factors, Computational Biology, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, RNA, Untranslated, Epigenesis, Genetic, Genome-Wide Association Study, Genetic Loci

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