Convergence of genetic findings for nicotine dependence and smoking related diseases with chromosome 15q24-25.
Due to the adverse health consequences related to smoking, it is important to understand factors that contribute to nicotine dependence. The most replicated genetic finding for nicotine dependence points to variants on chromosome 15, which includes the alpha5-alpha3-beta4 nicotinic receptor gene cluster. A compelling functional variant is a polymorphism, rs16969968, which alters an amino acid in the alpha5 nicotinic receptor subunit. Several prominent studies report that the replicated nicotine dependence locus also influences the risk for lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This represents an exciting convergence of genetic findings, and highlights the potential for research on smoking to inform public health.
Bierut
Laura Jean
LJ
Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid, Box 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D000818:Animals; D002884:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000235:genetics; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000235:genetics*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000235:genetics*
C447158:CHRNA5 protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic