Abstract
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a glycoprotein responsible for the transport and biologic availability of sex steroid hormones, primarily testosterone and estradiol. SHBG has been associated with chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes (T2D) and with hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of 21,791 individuals from 10 epidemiologic studies and validated these findings in 7,046 individuals in an additional six studies. We identified twelve genomic regions (SNPs) associated with circulating SHBG concentrations. Loci near the identified SNPs included
SHBG
(rs12150660, 17p13.1, p = 1.8×10
−106
),
PRMT6
(
rs17496332, 1p13.3
, p =
1.4
×
10
−11
),
GCKR
(
rs780093
,
2p23.3
, p =
2.2
×
10
−16
),
ZBTB10
(
rs440837
,
8q21.13
, p =
3.4
×
10
−09
),
JMJD1C
(
rs7910927
,
10q21.3
, p =
6.1
×
10
−35
),
SLCO1B1
(
rs4149056
,
12p12.1
, p =
1.9
×
10
−08
),
NR2F2
(
rs8023580
,
15q26.2
, p =
8.3
×
10
−12
),
ZNF652
(
rs2411984
,
17q21.32
, p =
3.5
×
10
−14
),
TDGF3
(
rs1573036
,
Xq22.3
, p =
4.1
×
10
−14
),
LHCGR
(
rs10454142
,
2p16.3
, p =
1.3
×
10
−07
),
BAIAP2L1
(
rs3779195
,
7q21.3
, p =
2.7
×
10
−08
), and
UGT2B15
(
rs293428
,
4q13.2
, p =
5.5
×
10
−06
). These genes encompass multiple biologic pathways, including hepatic function, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and T2D, androgen and estrogen receptor function, epigenetic effects, and the biology of sex steroid hormone-responsive cancers including breast and prostate cancer. We found evidence of sex-differentiated genetic influences on SHBG. In a sex-specific GWAS, the loci 4q13.2-
UGT2B15
was significant in men only (men p = 2.5×10
−08
, women p = 0.66, heterogeneity p = 0.003). Additionally, three loci showed strong sex-differentiated effects: 17p13.1-
SHBG
and Xq22.3-
TDGF3
were stronger in men, whereas 8q21.12-
ZBTB10
was stronger in women. Conditional analyses identified additional signals at the
SHBG
gene that together almost double the proportion of variance explained at the locus. Using an independent study of 1,129 individuals, all SNPs identified in the overall or sex-differentiated or conditional analyses explained ∼15.6% and ∼8.4% of the genetic variation of SHBG concentrations in men and women, respectively. The evidence for sex-differentiated effects and allelic heterogeneity highlight the importance of considering these features when estimating complex trait variance.
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is the key protein responsible for binding and transporting the sex steroid hormones, testosterone and estradiol, in the circulatory system. SHBG regulates their bioavailability and therefore their effects in the body. SHBG has been linked to chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes and to hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. SHBG concentrations are approximately 50% heritable in family studies, suggesting SHBG concentrations are under significant genetic control; yet, little is known about the specific genes that influence SHBG. We conducted a large study of the association of SHBG concentrations with markers in the human genome in ∼22,000 white men and women to determine which loci influence SHBG concentrations. Genes near the identified genomic markers in addition to the
SHBG
protein coding gene included
PRMT6
,
GCKR
,
ZBTB10
,
JMJD1C
,
SLCO1B1
,
NR2F2
,
ZNF652
,
TDGF3
,
LHCGR
,
BAIAP2L1
, and
UGT2B15
. These genes represent a wide range of biologic pathways that may relate to SHBG function and sex steroid hormone biology, including liver function, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and type 2 diabetes, and the development and progression of sex steroid hormone-responsive cancers.