Genetic determinants of daytime napping and effects on cardiometabolic health

Nat Commun. 2021 Feb 10;12(1):900. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20585-3.

Abstract

Daytime napping is a common, heritable behavior, but its genetic basis and causal relationship with cardiometabolic health remain unclear. Here, we perform a genome-wide association study of self-reported daytime napping in the UK Biobank (n = 452,633) and identify 123 loci of which 61 replicate in the 23andMe research cohort (n = 541,333). Findings include missense variants in established drug targets for sleep disorders (HCRTR1, HCRTR2), genes with roles in arousal (TRPC6, PNOC), and genes suggesting an obesity-hypersomnolence pathway (PNOC, PATJ). Association signals are concordant with accelerometer-measured daytime inactivity duration and 33 loci colocalize with loci for other sleep phenotypes. Cluster analysis identifies three distinct clusters of nap-promoting mechanisms with heterogeneous associations with cardiometabolic outcomes. Mendelian randomization shows potential causal links between more frequent daytime napping and higher blood pressure and waist circumference.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Sleep*
  • TRPC6 Cation Channel / genetics
  • United Kingdom
  • Waist Circumference

Substances

  • TRPC6 Cation Channel
  • TRPC6 protein, human