Systematic identification of genetic influences on methylation across the human life course.
Tom R GauntHashem A ShihabGibran HemaniJosine L MinGeoff WoodwardOliver LyttletonJie ZhengAparna DuggiralaWendy L McArdleKaren HoSusan M RingDavid M EvansGeorge Davey SmithCaroline L ReltonPublished in: Genome biology (2016)
DNA methylation contains a significant heritable component that remains consistent across the lifespan. Our results suggest that the genetic component of methylation may have a causal role in complex traits. The database of mQTL presented here provide a rich resource for those interested in investigating the role of methylation in disease.