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Evidence of horizontal indirect genetic effects in humans

Author

Listed:
  • Charley Xia

    (The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh)

  • Oriol Canela-Xandri

    (The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh
    MRC IGMM, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh)

  • Konrad Rawlik

    (The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh)

  • Albert Tenesa

    (The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh
    MRC IGMM, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh
    Usher Institute, Edinburgh bioQuarter, University of Edinburgh)

Abstract

Indirect genetic effects, the effects of the genotype of one individual on the phenotype of other individuals, are environmental factors associated with human disease and complex trait variation that could help to expand our understanding of the environment linked to complex traits. Here, we study indirect genetic effects in 80,889 human couples of European ancestry for 105 complex traits. Using a linear mixed model approach, we estimate partner indirect heritability and find evidence of partner heritability on ~50% of the analysed traits. Follow-up analysis suggests that in at least ~25% of these traits, the partner heritability is consistent with the existence of indirect genetic effects including a wide variety of traits such as dietary traits, mental health and disease. This shows that the environment linked to complex traits is partially explained by the genotype of other individuals and motivates the need to find new ways of studying the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Charley Xia & Oriol Canela-Xandri & Konrad Rawlik & Albert Tenesa, 2021. "Evidence of horizontal indirect genetic effects in humans," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(3), pages 399-406, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:5:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1038_s41562-020-00991-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-020-00991-9
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