Expressive

rs118164541 (DTWD1/ATP8B4): Gut Microbiota GWAS

Key takeaways

  • rs118164541 near DTWD1 and ATP8B4 was linked to gut microbial taxon abundance in a genome-wide study of nearly 6,000 people
  • It was one of 567 genome-wide significant SNP-taxon associations identified in a single large cohort
  • The specific gut microbe associated with this variant is not described in the available published text
  • Gut microbiota GWAS findings generally show poor cross-study reproducibility, making this evidence preliminary

Key takeaways

  • rs118164541, near the DTWD1 and ATP8B4 genes, was identified in a genome-wide study linking human genetic variants to gut microbiome composition
  • The discovery was made in nearly 6,000 individuals who each had both genetic sequencing and gut microbiome profiling
  • This variant was one of 567 independent genome-wide significant SNP-taxon associations found in a single cohort
  • The specific gut microbe associated with this locus is not described in the available study text
  • Cross-study reproducibility for gut microbiota genetics findings is generally limited in this research field

What the research says A genome-wide association study of 5,959 individuals from the FINRISK 2002 cohort, each with matched shotgun gut metagenome data, identified 567 independent associations between genetic variants and gut microbial taxon abundances at genome-wide significance (P < 5.0 x 10^-8) across 411 loci, including the DTWD1-ATP8B4 locus. Heritability estimates across all 2,801 tested microbial taxa ranged from h2 = 0.001 to 0.214, with the highest values observed in taxa belonging to the Firmicutes phyla, which accounted for half of all taxa showing genetic associations. The study also demonstrated that some genetic effects on gut microbiota are modified by dietary factors: associations at a separate locus (LCT, governing lactase activity) with the bacterium Bifidobacterium differed according to dairy intake, illustrating that gene-diet interactions can shape microbiome composition.

Reported associations

  • Gut microbial taxon abundance: This variant was among 567 independent genome-wide significant (P < 5.0 x 10^-8) SNP-taxon associations identified across 411 loci in 5,959 individuals; the specific gut microbial taxon linked to this locus is not detailed in the available study text.

Evidence quality The association was identified in a single, large population-based cohort (FINRISK 2002, N=5,959) using a genome-wide significance threshold and conditional analysis to isolate independent signals. This is among the larger single-cohort gut microbiota genome-wide studies reported in the field. However, the study authors explicitly note that cross-study reproducibility for gut microbiota genome-wide association findings is generally poor, and that most previously reported associations lose significance after multiple testing correction. No replication in an independent cohort is described in the available text for this specific locus, and no effect size or taxon name is reported in the excerpts available for rs118164541 specifically. Evidence for this locus should be considered preliminary.

Lifestyle considerations No lifestyle considerations on file for this variant.

Frequently asked questions

What is rs118164541?

rs118164541 is a genetic variant located near the DTWD1 and ATP8B4 genes. It was identified in a genome-wide association study as one of hundreds of variants associated with the relative abundance of specific microbes in the human gut.

What gut microbe is rs118164541 associated with?

The specific gut microbial taxon linked to rs118164541 is not detailed in the currently available study text. The variant was identified among 567 genome-wide significant SNP-taxon associations in a cohort of 5,959 individuals.

How reliable is the rs118164541 gut microbiome association?

The association reached genome-wide significance (P < 5.0 x 10^-8) in a large single cohort of nearly 6,000 people. However, researchers note that gut microbiota GWAS findings typically show poor cross-study reproducibility, and independent replication of this specific variant has not been described in the available evidence, so the finding should be considered preliminary.

Can diet affect how rs118164541 influences gut bacteria?

The study found that dietary factors, such as dairy intake, can modify some genetic associations with gut microbiota. Whether diet specifically interacts with rs118164541 is not described in the available study text.

What genes are near rs118164541?

rs118164541 lies near the DTWD1 and ATP8B4 genes. Their specific roles in relation to gut microbiota are not described in the available study text.