Genome-wide association study of handgrip strength in the Northern Chinese adult twins

Purpose Currently, new loci related to handgrip strength have been identified in genome-wide association studies. However, this topic is an understudied area in the Chinese population. Materials and Methods A total of 135 dizygotic twin pairs recruited from the Qingdao Twin Registry system were included in the present study. Using GEMMA, VEAGSE2, and PASCAL software for SNP-based analysis, gene-based analysis, and pathway-based analysis, respectively. The resulting SNPs were subjected to eQTL analysis. Results Although none of the loci reach the statistically significant level (p < 5 x 10(-8)), we found 19 SNPs exceeding the suggestive significant level (p < 1 x 10(-5)). After imputation, 162 SNPs reached suggestive evidence level for handgrip strength. A total of 1,118 genes reached the nominal significance level (p < 0.05) in gene-based analysis. A total of 626 potential biological pathways were associated with handgrip strength (p < 0.05). The results of eQTL analysis were mainly enriched in tissues such as the muscle-skeletal, brain, visceral fat, and brain-cortical. Conclusions Genetic variants may involve in regulatory domains, functional genes, and biological pathways that mediate handgrip strength.