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Genetic association suggests that SMOC1 mediates between prenatal sex hormones and digit ratio
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 19:48 authored by Adam J Lawrance-Owen, Gary Bargary, Jenny BostenJenny Bosten, Patrick T Goodbourn, Ruth E Hogg, J D MollonMen and women differ statistically in the relative lengths of their index and ring fingers; and the ratio of these lengths has been used as a biomarker for prenatal testosterone. The ratio has been correlated with a wide range of traits and conditions including prostate cancer, obesity, autism, ADHD, and sexual orientation. In a genome-wide association study of 979 healthy adults, we find that digit ratio is strongly associated with variation upstream of SMOC1 (rs4902759: P = 1.41 × 10(-8)) and a meta-analysis of this and an independent study shows a probability of P = 1.5 × 10(-11). The protein encoded by SMOC1 has recently been shown to play a critical role in limb development; its expression in prostate tissue is dependent on sex hormones, and it has been implicated in the sexually dimorphic development of the gonads. We put forward the hypothesis that SMOC1 provides a link between prenatal hormone exposure and digit ratio.
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Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Human GeneticsISSN
0340-6717Publisher
Springer VerlagExternal DOI
Issue
4Volume
132Page range
415-421Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2015-01-27First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2015-01-27Usage metrics
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