Novel Gene Identified in Tanning Dependence

January 6, 2015

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that some individuals may exhibit symptoms of dependence to ultraviolet light, a known carcinogen, in the context of tanning. Genetic associations with tanning dependence (TD) have not yet been explored. We conducted an exome-wide association study in 79 individuals who exhibited symptoms of TD and 213 individuals with volitional exposure to ultraviolet light, but who were not TD based on three TD scales.

A total of 300 000 mostly exomic single nucleotide polymorphisms primarily in coding regions were assessed using an Affymetrix Axiom array. We performed a gene burden test with Bonferroni correction for the number of genes examined (P < 0.05/14 904 = 3.36 × 10−6). One gene, patched domain containing 2 (PTCHD2), yielded a statistically significant P-value of 2.5 × 10−6(OR = 0.27) with fewer individuals classified as TD having a minor allele at this locus.

These results require replication, but are the first to support a specific genetic association with TD.

Sources:

Cartmel, B., Dewan, A., Ferrucci, L. M., Gelernter, J., Stapleton, J., Leffell, D. J., Mayne, S. T. and Bale, A. E. (2014), Novel gene identified in an exome-wide association study of tanning dependence. Experimental Dermatology, 23: 757–759. doi: 10.1111/exd.12503 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/exd.12503/full

Yale University media release: http://medicine.yale.edu/ysph/cde/news/article.aspx?id=7796