Genome-wide analysis identifies molecular systems and 149 genetic loci associated with income

W. David Hill (), Neil M. Davies, Stuart J. Ritchie, Nathan G. Skene, Julien Bryois, Steven Bell, Emanuele Di Angelantonio, David J. Roberts, Shen Xueyi, Gail Davies, David C. M. Liewald, David J. Porteous, Caroline Hayward, Adam S. Butterworth, Andrew M. McIntosh, Catharine R. Gale and Ian J. Deary
Additional contact information
W. David Hill: University of Edinburgh
Neil M. Davies: University of Bristol
Stuart J. Ritchie: King’s College London
Nathan G. Skene: Karolinska Institutet
Julien Bryois: Karolinska Institutet
Steven Bell: University of Cambridge
Emanuele Di Angelantonio: University of Cambridge
David J. Roberts: Health Data Research UK
Shen Xueyi: University of Edinburgh
Gail Davies: University of Edinburgh
David C. M. Liewald: University of Edinburgh
David J. Porteous: University of Edinburgh
Caroline Hayward: Western General Hospital
Adam S. Butterworth: University of Cambridge
Andrew M. McIntosh: University of Edinburgh
Catharine R. Gale: University of Edinburgh
Ian J. Deary: University of Edinburgh

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract Socioeconomic position (SEP) is a multi-dimensional construct reflecting (and influencing) multiple socio-cultural, physical, and environmental factors. In a sample of 286,301 participants from UK Biobank, we identify 30 (29 previously unreported) independent-loci associated with income. Using a method to meta-analyze data from genetically-correlated traits, we identify an additional 120 income-associated loci. These loci show clear evidence of functionality, with transcriptional differences identified across multiple cortical tissues, and links to GABAergic and serotonergic neurotransmission. By combining our genome wide association study on income with data from eQTL studies and chromatin interactions, 24 genes are prioritized for follow up, 18 of which were previously associated with intelligence. We identify intelligence as one of the likely causal, partly-heritable phenotypes that might bridge the gap between molecular genetic inheritance and phenotypic consequence in terms of income differences. These results indicate that, in modern era Great Britain, genetic effects contribute towards some of the observed socioeconomic inequalities.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13585-5

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