Novel recessive locus for body mass index in childhood asthma

Most genome-wide association studies of obesity and body mass index (BMI) have so far assumed an additive mode of inheritance in their analysis, although association testing supports a recessive effect for some of the established loci, for example, rs1421085 in FTO. In two whole-genome sequencing (WGS) studies of children with asthma and their parents (892 Costa Rican trios and 286 North American trios), we discovered an association between a locus (rs9292139) in LOC102724122 and BMI that reaches genome-wide significance under a recessive model in the combined analysis. As the association does not achieve significance under an additive model, our finding illustrates the benefits of the recessive model in WGS analyses.

Automated summary

In genome-wide association studies of obesity and BMI, a locus (rs9292139) in LOC102724122 was found to be associated with BMI under a recessive model, highlighting the benefits of the recessive model in whole-genome sequencing analyses. This discovery emphasizes the importance of considering different genetic inheritance models in genetic studies of complex traits like obesity.