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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 Mollon
Men 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.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Human Genetics

ISSN

0340-6717

Publisher

Springer Verlag

Issue

4

Volume

132

Page range

415-421

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2015-01-27

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2015-01-27

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