Biological Insights Into Muscular Strength: Genetic Findings in the UK Biobank

Abstract

We performed a large genome-wide association study to discover genetic variation associated with muscular strength, and to evaluate shared genetic aetiology with and causal effects of muscular strength on several health indicators. In our discovery analysis of 223,315 individuals, we identified 101 loci associated with grip strength (P <5 × 10^-8). Of these, 64 were associated (P < 0.01 and consistent direction) also in the replication dataset (N = 111,610). eQTL analyses highlighted several genes known to play a role in neuro-developmental disorders or brain function, and the results from meta-analysis showed a significant enrichment of gene expression of brain-related transcripts. Further, we observed inverse genetic correlations of grip strength with cardiometabolic traits, and positive correlation with parents' age of death and education. We also showed that grip strength had shared biological pathways with indicators of frailty, including cognitive performance scores. By use of Mendelian randomization, we provide evidence that higher grip strength is protective of both coronary heart disease (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.60-0.79, P < 0.0001) and atrial fibrillation (OR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.62-0.90, P = 0.003). In conclusion, our results show shared genetic aetiology between grip strength, and cardiometabolic and cognitive health; and suggest that maintaining muscular strength could prevent future cardiovascular events.

Figure 1

Manhattan plot of genetic associations with grip strength in discovery sample.

Figure 2

Gene-based manhattan plot of genetic associations with grip strength in discovery sample. The most significant gene for each chromosome is labeled.

Figure 3

Enrichment of tissue-expression for grip strength loci in 30 tissue types.

Figure 4

Significant genetic correlations with grip strength. Abbreviations: HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance; HOMA-B, homeostasis model assessment-estimated beta-cell function; ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; VLDL, very low density lipoprotein; HbA1c, glycated haemoglobin; IQ, intelligence quotient; HDL, high density lipoprotein.