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Abstract Rationale Previous genetic studies of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have limitations in terms of precise case definition, integrated quantitative traits, and interpretation of genetic functions; thus, the heritability of OSA remains poorly explained. Objectives To identify novel genetic variants associated with OSA and objective sleep-related traits and to explore their functional roles. Methods A genome-wide association study was performed in 20,590 Han Chinese individuals (5,438 OSA and 15,152 control samples). Human samples and point mutation knockin mice were used for follow-up investigation of gene functions. Measurements and Main Results Two characteristic study-wide significant loci (P 2.63 × 10−9) for OSA were identified: the PACRG intronic variant rs6455893 on 6q26 (odds ratio OR = 1.62; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.39–1.89; P = 6.98 × 10−10) and the missense variant rs3746804 (p.Pro267Leu) in the riboflavin transporter SLC52A3 on 20p13 (OR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.79–0.88; P = 7.57 × 10−10). In addition, 18 genome-wide significant loci associated with quantitative OSA and objective sleep-related traits were identified, 5 of which exceeded the study-wide significance threshold. Rs3746804 was associated with elevated serum riboflavin concentrations, and the corresponding mutation in mice increased riboflavin concentrations, suggesting that this variant may facilitate riboflavin uptake and riboflavin-dependent physiological activity. Conclusions We identified several novel genome-wide significant loci associated with OSA and objective sleep-related traits. Our findings provide insight into the genetic architecture of OSA and suggest that SLC52A3 might be a therapeutic target, whereas riboflavin might be a therapeutic agent.
Xu et al. (Tue,) studied this question.