A genome-wide study involving 280,897 individuals identified a significant genetic variant (rs3847634) linked to light sensitivity and .
A specific genetic variant was associated with increased morningness effects from daytime light exposure.
Higher expression of the ARL14EP gene in brain and retinal tissues correlated with this light sensitivity variant.
Genes related to light sensitivity were notably enriched in pathways associated with glutamate signaling and hypothalamic neurons.
Greater light sensitivity showed significant genetic correlations with later chronotype and shorter sleep duration.
Nominal correlations were observed between light sensitivity and symptoms of insomnia and risk for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Simplified
STUDY OBJECTIVES: Light is the primary stimulus for synchronizing the circadian clock in humans. There are very large interindividual differences in the sensitivity of the circadian clock to light. Little is currently known about the genetic basis for these interindividual differences.
METHODS: We performed a genome-wide gene-by-environment interaction study (GWIS) in 280 897 individuals from the UK Biobank cohort to identify genetic variants that moderate the effect of daytime light exposure on (individual time of day preference), acting as "light sensitivity" variants for the impact of daylight on the circadian system.
RESULTS: We identified a genome-wide significant mapped to the ARL14EP gene (rs3847634; p < 5 × 10-8), where additional minor alleles were found to enhance the morningness effect of daytime light exposure (βGxE = -.03, SE = 0.005) and were associated with increased gene ARL14EP expression in brain and retinal tissues. Gene-property analysis showed light sensitivity loci were enriched for genes in the G protein-coupled glutamate receptor signaling pathway and genes expressed in Per2+ hypothalamic neurons. Linkage disequilibrium score regression identified Bonferroni significant genetic correlations of greater light sensitivity GWIS with later chronotype and shorter sleep duration. Greater light sensitivity was nominally genetically correlated with insomnia symptoms and risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to assess light as an important exposure in the genomics of chronotype and is a critical first step in uncovering the genetic architecture of human circadian light sensitivity and its links to sleep and mental health.
Key numbers
rs3847634
Genome-wide significant
Mapped to the ARL14EP gene.
280897
Participants in study
From the UK Biobank cohort.
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