| Application: | 8447, The genetic architecture and prediction of anthropomorphic measurements |
| Title: | Genetic determination of height-mediated mate choice |
| Size: | 3.7 MB |
| Archived: | 14 Dec 2020 |
| Stability: | Complete |
| Personal: | Contains individual-level data |
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Notes
Background:Numerous studies have reported positive correlations among couples for height. This suggests that humans find individuals of similar height attractive. However, the answer to whether the choice of a mate with a similar phenotype is genetically or environmentally determined has been elusive.
Results:
Here we provide an estimate of the genetic contribution to height choice in mates in 13,068 genotyped couples. Using a mixed linear model we show that 4.1 % of the variation in the mate height choice is determined by a person s own genotype, as expected in a model where one s height determines the choice of mate height. Furthermore, the genotype of an individual predicts their partners height in an independent dataset of 15,437 individuals with 13 % accuracy, which is 64 % of the theoretical maximum achievable with a heritability of 0.041. Theoretical predictions suggest that approximately 5 % of the heritability of height is due to the positive covariance between allelic effects at different loci, which is caused by assortative mating. Hence, the coupling of alleles with similar effects could substantially contribute to the missing heritability of height.
Conclusions:
These estimates provide new insight into the mechanisms that govern mate choice in humans and warrant the search for the genetic causes of choice of mate height. They have important methodological implications and contribute to the missing heritability debate.
Application 8447
The genetic architecture and prediction of anthropomorphic measurements
Height, weight and related traits (e.g. BMI) are characteristic quantitative phenotypes with large genetic contribution for which most of the genetic variation is yet unidentified. The aim of this proposal is to use the UK Biobank as a proof of principle that the genetic contribution to complex continuos phenotypes can be identified in large cohorts and predicted from genetic markers. The specific aims are: To identify the loci that contribute to infant and adult anthropomorphic measurements. To use genetic markers to construct prediction models of these anthropomorphic measurements as paradigm of complex traits (ie. determined by thousands of genes). The project aims to provide predictions of traits based solely on genetic markers using anthropomorphic traits as a paradigm. If the methodology works for these traits, then the same methodology will be applied to disease traits. In addition, height and BMI have been associated with devastating diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Understanding, the common genetic pathways between those traits and the diseases they are associated with will help to develop better treatments and preventative measures. Genetic variation will be correlated with phenotypic variation. It is expected that genetic polymorphisms that contribute to the variation of anthropomorphic traits will show statistical associations with the traits. For instance, a given allele might increase one person's height. If that is the case, then the mean height of people that inherited that allele will on average be higher that people that didn't inherit it. Data and genotyping from the whole cohort will be used in this analysis
| Lead investigator: | Professor Albert Tenesa |
| Lead institution: | University of Edinburgh |
1 Publication
| Pub ID | Title | Author(s) | Year | Journal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3064 | Genetic determination of height-mediated mate choice | Albert Tenesa (+3) | 2015 | Genome Biology |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health