Published in

Nature Research, Nature Genetics, 6(45), p. 621-631, 2013

DOI: 10.1038/ng.2610

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Identification of heart rate–associated loci and their effects on cardiac conduction and rhythm disorders

Journal article published in 2013 by Yvonne T. van der Schouw ORCID, Melanie M. van der Klauw, Marcel den Hoed, Pim van der Harst, Cornelia M. van Duijn, Wiek H. van Gilst, Dirk J. van Veldhuisen, Paul I. W. de Bakker, Eco J. C. de Geus, Rudolf A. de Boer, Jacqueline de Graaf, Bianca J. J. M. Brundel, David S. Peal, David M. Evans, Ilja M. Nolte and other authors.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Orange circle
Postprint: archiving restricted
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Elevated resting heart rate is associated with greater risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. In a 2-stage meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies in up to 181,171 individuals, we identified 14 new loci associated with heart rate and confirmed associations with all 7 previously established loci. Experimental downregulation of gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster and Danio rerio identified 20 genes at 11 loci that are relevant for heart rate regulation and highlight a role for genes involved in signal transmission, embryonic cardiac development and the pathophysiology of dilated cardiomyopathy, congenital heart failure and/or sudden cardiac death. In addition, genetic susceptibility to increased heart rate is associated with altered cardiac conduction and reduced risk of sick sinus syndrome, and both heart rate–increasing and heart rate–decreasing variants associate with risk of atrial fibrillation. Our findings provide fresh insights into the mechanisms regulating heart rate and identify new therapeutic targets.