Genetic links between ovarian ageing, cancer risk and de novo mutation rates

Perspectives on biomarkers of reproductive aging for fertility and beyond

Reproductive aging, spanning an age-related functional decline in the female and male reproductive systems, compromises fertility and leads to a range of health complications. In this Perspective, we first introduce a comprehensive framework for biomarkers applicable in clinical settings and discuss the existing repertoire of biomarkers used in practice. These encompass functional, imaging-based and biofluid-based biomarkers, all of which reflect the physiological characteristics of reproductive aging and help to determine the reproductive biological age. Next, we delve into the molecular alterations associated with aging in the reproductive system, highlighting the gap between these changes and their potential as biomarkers. Finally, to enhance the precision and practicality of assessing reproductive aging, we suggest adopting cutting-edge technologies for identifying new biomarkers and conducting thorough validations in population studies before clinical applications. These advancements will foster improved comprehension, prognosis and treatment of subfertility, thereby increasing chances of preserving reproductive health and resilience in populations of advanced age.

Genetics of female and male reproductive traits and their relationship with health, longevity and consequences for offspring

Substantial shifts in reproductive behaviors have recently taken place in many high-income countries including earlier age at menarche, advanced age at childbearing, rising childlessness and a lower number of children. As reproduction shifts to later ages, genetic factors may become increasingly important. Although monogenic genetic effects are known, the genetics underlying human reproductive traits are complex, with both causal effects and statistical bias often confounded by socioeconomic factors. Here, we review genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of 44 reproductive traits of both female and male individuals from 2007 to early 2024, examining reproductive behavior, reproductive lifespan and aging, infertility and hormonal concentration. Using the GWAS Catalog as a basis, from 159 relevant studies, we isolate 37 genes that harbor association signals for four or more reproductive traits, more than half of which are linked to rare Mendelian disorders, including ten genes linked to reproductive-related disorders: FSHB, MCM8, DNAH2, WNT4, ESR1, IGSF1, THRB, BRWD1, CYP19A1 and PTPRF. We also review the relationship of reproductive genetics to related health and behavioral traits, aging and longevity and the effect of parental age on offspring outcomes as well as reflecting on limitations, open questions and challenges in this fast-moving field.

Gene-based burden tests of rare germline variants identify six cancer susceptibility genes

Discovery of cancer risk variants in the sequence of the germline genome can shed light on carcinogenesis. Here we describe gene burden association analyses, aggregating rare missense and loss of function variants, at 22 cancer sites, including 130,991 cancer cases and 733,486 controls from Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom. We identified four genes associated with increased cancer risk; the pro-apoptotic BIK for prostate cancer, the autophagy involved ATG12 for colorectal cancer, TG for thyroid cancer and CMTR2 for both lung cancer and cutaneous melanoma. Further, we found genes with rare variants that associate with decreased risk of cancer; AURKB for any cancer, irrespective of site, and PPP1R15A for breast cancer, suggesting that inhibition of PPP1R15A may be a preventive strategy for breast cancer. Our findings pinpoint several new cancer risk genes and emphasize autophagy, apoptosis and cell stress response as a focus point for developing new therapeutics.

The importance of family-based sampling for biobanks

Biobanks aim to improve our understanding of health and disease by collecting and analysing diverse biological and phenotypic information in large samples. So far, biobanks have largely pursued a population-based sampling strategy, where the individual is the unit of sampling, and familial relatedness occurs sporadically and by chance. This strategy has been remarkably efficient and successful, leading to thousands of scientific discoveries across multiple research domains, and plans for the next wave of biobanks are underway. In this Perspective, we discuss the strengths and limitations of a complementary sampling strategy for future biobanks based on oversampling of close genetic relatives. Such family-based samples facilitate research that clarifies causal relationships between putative risk factors and outcomes, particularly in estimates of genetic effects, because they enable analyses that reduce or eliminate confounding due to familial and demographic factors. Family-based biobank samples would also shed new light on fundamental questions across multiple fields that are often difficult to explore in population-based samples. Despite the potential for higher costs and greater analytical complexity, the many advantages of family-based samples should often outweigh their potential challenges.