Genome-Wide Meta-Analyses of FTND and TTFC Phenotypes

INTRODUCTION

FTND (Fagerstrӧm test for nicotine dependence) and TTFC (time to smoke first cigarette in the morning) are common measures of nicotine dependence (ND). However, genome-wide meta-analysis for these phenotypes has not been reported.

METHODS

Genome-wide meta-analyses for FTND (N = 19,431) and TTFC (N = 18,567) phenotypes were conducted for adult smokers of European ancestry from 14 independent cohorts.

RESULTS

We found that SORBS2 on 4q35 (p = 4.05 × 10-8), BG182718 on 11q22 (p = 1.02 × 10-8), and AA333164 on 14q21 (p = 4.11 × 10-9) were associated with TTFC phenotype. We attempted replication of leading candidates with independent samples (FTND, N = 7010 and TTFC, N = 10 061), however, due to limited power of the replication samples, the replication of these new loci did not reach significance. In gene-based analyses, COPB2 was found associated with FTND phenotype, and TFCP2L1, RELN, and INO80C were associated with TTFC phenotype. In pathway and network analyses, we found that the interconnected interactions among the endocytosis, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, axon guidance, MAPK signaling, and chemokine signaling pathways were involved in ND.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analyses identified several promising candidates for both FTND and TTFC phenotypes, and further verification of these candidates was necessary. Candidates supported by both FTND and TTFC (CHRNA4, THSD7B, RBFOX1, and ZNF804A) were associated with addiction to alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, and were associated with autism and schizophrenia. We also identified novel pathways involved in cigarette smoking. The pathway interactions highlighted the importance of receptor recycling and internalization in ND.

IMPLICATIONS

Understanding the genetic architecture of cigarette smoking and ND is critical to develop effective prevention and treatment. Our study identified novel candidates and biological pathways involved in FTND and TTFC phenotypes, and this will facilitate further investigation of these candidates and pathways.

Metabolism of 3H- and 14C-labeled glutamate, proline, and alanine in normal and adrenalectomized rats using different sites of tracer administration and sampling

Alanine, glutamate and proline labeled with 14C and 3H were infused into fasted normal and adrenalectomized rats. Alanine was administered by the A-V mode (arterial administration-venous sampling), and glutamate and proline by both the A-V and V-A (venous administration-arterial sampling) modes. The kinetics of 14C alanine and 14C glutamate differed markedly from those of the tritium-labeled compounds, but there was little difference in the kinetics of 3H and 14C proline. The replacement rate calculated from the A-V mode for glutamate was about half that obtained in the V-A mode, but there was little difference with proline. The masses of the amino acids (total content of amino acids in the body) were calculated from the washout curves of the tritium-labeled compounds after the infusion of tracer was terminated. The masses for the normal rats were 407 mumol/kg for alanine, 578 mumol/kg for glutamate and 296 mumol/kg for proline. The so-called distribution spaces calculated conventionally from total masses and the amino acid concentrations in plasma are much greater than the volume of the body, reflecting the fact that amino acid concentrations in tissues greatly exceed those in plasma. Adrenalectomy markedly affected the kinetics of the three amino acids, and their replacement rates were greatly reduced. The proline and glutamate masses were reduced by at least one half, while that of alanine was unchanged. Adrenalectomy markedly reduced the conversion of proline to glutamate. The hydrocortisone regimen used in this study restored the metabolism of alanine and glutamate to normal, but had no effect on that of proline.

Metabolism of trimethylamines in kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus) and marine and freshwater pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)

3H or 14C labeled tracers were used to investigate the metabolism of trimethylamine (TMA), trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), choline, and betaine in free swimming kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus). An indwelling cannula in the ventral aorta was used to administer tracer and with-draw blood samples. The concentrations of TMA and TMAO were determined in liver, muscle, and plasma. The TMA liver content is higher than that of muscle (0.85 vs less than 0.01 mumoles/g wet tissue) while the amount of TMAO in muscle greatly exceeds its liver concentration (60 vs 0.04 mumoles/g wet tissue). Prolonged fasting (21 and 75 days) or feeding the fish a squid diet containing high levels of TMAO did not alter the tissue concentrations of TMA or TMAO, suggesting that these compounds are endogenous in origin and that their tissue concentrations are subject to regulation. Comparison of the radiospecific activities of TMA and TMAO, and the administered TMA tracer suggest that TMA is channeled directly to TMAO in the liver without equilibration in the hepatic TMA pool. The conversion kinetics of TMA to TMAO and the distribution of these amines in liver and muscle with time suggest that labeled TMA is rapidly taken up into a sequestered pool from which it is slowly released, oxidized to TMAO in the liver, and then transported via the circulation to the muscle mass. The location of this proposed sequestered TMA pool was not determined. Experiments with labeled choline and betaine suggest that these compounds are interconverted in the liver and that enzymes are present for conversion of choline in equilibrium betaine----TMA----TMAO. Labeled dimethylamine (DMA) was not metabolized and is, therefore, probably not a precursor of TMA and TMAO. [14C]Trimethylamine (TMA) was also used to investigate the possible role of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) as an osmoregulatory compound in migrating prespawning cannulated Pacific pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) taken from marine or fresh water environments. Marine and fresh water salmon oxidized administered [14C]TMA to TMAO; labeled metabolites other than TMA and TMAO were not detected. Four hours after [14C]TMA injection about 10% of the administered dose was present in muscle as labeled TMAO and about 33% as TMA. Unlike our finding in kelp bass, [14C]TMAO was not recovered in liver, although low amounts of labeled TMA were found (0.4% of administered dose). Labeled TMA and TMAO, however, were detected in liver after [14C]betaine administration to a marine salmon, indicating that TMA-mono-oxygenase is present in salmon liver.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Metabolism of tritium- and 14C-labeled alanine in rats

[3-3H]- and [U-14C]alanine were administered to starved rats by bolus injection and by continuous infusion. The specific activities of alanine, glucose, and lactate in blood were followed. The tracer kinetics of alanine depended on the site of tracer administration and sampling. Tracer was either administered into the aorta and blood sampled from the vena cava (A-VC mode) or tracer was administered into the vena cava and arterial blood sampled (V-A mode) (Katz, J. F. Okajima, and A. Dunn. Biochem J. 194: 513-524, 1981). When tracer was infused in the A-VC mode the plateau specific activity of alanine was about half that obtained in the V-A mode. The parameters of alanine turnover were calculated from the specific activities obtained in the A-VC mode. The calculated apparent replacement rate averaged 1.9 mg.min-1.kg-1 for [U-14C]- and 3.9 mg.min-1.kg-1 for [3-3H]alanine, indicating a carbon recycling of about 50%. The apparent contribution of alanine carbon to that of glucose is 15%. The maximal activity in plasma water is attained at about 5 min after bolus injection of [3-3H]alanine and that of [14C]glucose in blood is attained about 10 min after the injection of [U-14C]alanine. Maximal specific activity of [3H]- and [14C]lactate is attained within about 1 min after injection. The apparent mean transit time and alanine mass were calculated from the areas of washout curves after the continuous infusion was terminated. The mean transit time for [3H]alanine was 10 min and apparent total body mass of alanine of the order of 40 mg/kg. The apparent means transit time for [U-14C]alanine ranged from 33 to 66 min corresponding to a mass of the order of 100 mg/kg of alanine or 40 mg/kg of alanine carbon.

Amino acid gluconeogenesis and glucose turnover in kelp bass (Paralabrax sp.)

The glucose replacement rate, plasma glucose concentration, glucose body mass, and amino acid gluconeogenesis were determined in vivo in fed and fasted kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus) using [6-3H]glucose administered with [U-14C]glutamate, [U-14C]aspartate, or [U-14C]alanine. Fasting (14 days) and prolonged starvation (72 days) do not produce changes in the replacement rate, body mass, or plasma concentration of glucose. The removal of amino acids from the circulation is rapid in both fed and fasting states with nearly 50% of the administered 14Ctracer disappearing by 5 min. The incorporation of [14C]amino acid carbon into the body glucose mass is also rapid with significant amounts of tracer appearing within 15 min after administration. Gluconeogenesis from alanine and glutamate is increased by fasting whereas that from aspartate is diminished. The gluconeogenic rate is comparable to that previously observed in rats (Dunn, A., M. Chenoweth, and J. G. Hemington. The relationship of adrenal glucocorticoids to transaminase activity and gluconeogenesis in the intact rat. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 237: 192-202, 1971), although the glucose replacement rate is significantly lower. We propose that the paradoxically high rate of gluconeogenesis in fish may serve to provide carbohydrate precursors for mucus synthesis in these carnivorous animals with limited carbohydrate intake.

The determination of lactate turnover in vivo with 3H- and 14C-labelled lactate. The significance of sites of tracer administration and sampling

L-[3-3H,U-14C]Lactate was administered to starved rats either as a bolus or by continuous infusion. Tracer administration was performed two ways: injection into the vena cava and sampling from the aorta (V-A mode), or injection into the aorta and sampling from the vena cava (A-VC mode). The specific-radioactivity curves after infusion or injection differed markedly with the two procedures. However, the specific radioactivities of 14C-labelled glucose derived from [U-14C]lactate were similar in the two modes. The apparent turnover rates of lactate calculated from the 3H specific-radioactivity curves in the V-A mode were about half those obtained from the 3H specific-radioactivity curves in the A-VC mode. The apparent contribution of lactate carbon to glucose carbon calculated from specific-radioactivity curves of the A-VC mode was greater than that obtained from the V-A mode. The apparent recycling of lactate carbon calculated from the specific radioactivities for [U-14C]- and [3-3H]-lactate was greater in the A-VC mode than the V-A mode. [U-14C] Glucose was administered in the two modes, but in contrast with lactate the specific radioactivities were only slightly different. An analysis to account for these observations is presented. It is shown that the two modes represent sampling from different pools of lactate. The significance of sites of tracer administration and sampling for the interpretation of tracer kinetics of compounds present in intracellular and extracellular spaces, and with a high turnover rate, is discussed. We propose that for such compounds, including lactate, alanine and glycerol, the widely used V-A mode leads to a marked underestimate of replacement, mass and carbon recycling, and that the A-VC mode is the preferred method for the assessment of these parameters.

Metabolism of 3H- and 14C-labelled lactate in starved rats

1. [2-(3)H,U-(14)C]- or [3-(3)H,U-(14)C]-Lactate was administered by infusion or bolus injection to overnight-starved rats. Tracer lactate was injected or infused through indwelling cannulas into the aorta and blood was sampled from the vena cava (A-VC mode), or it was administered into the vena cava and sampled from the aorta (V-A mode). Sampling was continued after infusion was terminated to obtain the wash-out curves for the tracer. The activities of lactate, glucose, amino acids and water were followed. 2. The kinetics of labelled lactate in the two modes differed markedly, but the kinetics of labelled glucose were much the same irrespective of mode. 3. The kinetics of (3)H-labelled lactate differed markedly from those for [U-(14)C]lactate. Isotopic steady state was attained in less than 1h of infusion of [(3)H]lactate but required over 6h for [U-(14)C]lactate. 4. (3)H from [2-(3)H]lactate labels glucose more extensive than does that from [3-(3)H]lactate. [3-(3)H]Lactate also labels plasma amino acids. The distribution of (3)H in glucose was determined. 5. Maximal radioactivity in (3)HOH in plasma is attained in less than 1min after injection. Near-maximal radioactivity in [(14)C]glucose and [(3)H]glucose is attained within 2-3min after injection. 6. The apparent replacement rates for lactate were calculated from the areas under the specific-radioactivity curves or plateau specific radioactivities after primed infusion. Results calculated from bolus injection and infusion agreed closely. The apparent replacement rate for [(3)H]lactate from the A-VC mode averaged about 16mg/min per kg body wt. and that in the V-A mode about 8.5mg/min per kg body wt. The apparent rates for [(14)C]lactate (;rate of irreversible disposal') were 8mg/min per kg body wt. for the A-VC mode and 5.5mg/min per kg body wt. for the V-A mode. Apparent recycling of lactate carbon was 55-60% according to the A-VC mode and 35% according to the V-A mode. 7. The specific radioactivities of [U-(14)C]glucose at isotopic steady state were 55% and 45% that of [U-(14)C]lactate in the A-VC and V-A modes respectively. We calculated, correcting for the dilution of (14)C in gluconeogenesis via oxaloacetate, that over 70% of newly synthesized glucose was derived from circulating lactate. 8. Recycling of (3)H between lactate and glucose was evaluated. It has no significant effect on the calculation of the replacement rate, but affects considerably the areas under the wash-out curves for both [2-(3)H]- and [3-(3)H]-lactate, and calculation of mean transit time and total lactate mass in the body. Corrected for recycling, in the A-VC mode the mean transit time is about 3min, the lactate mass about 50mg/kg body wt. and the lactate space about 65% of body space. The V-A mode yields a mass and lactate space about half those with the A-VC mode. 9. The area under the wash-out curve for [(14)C]lactate is some 20-30 times that for [(3)H]lactate, and apparent carbon mass is 400-500mg/kg body wt. and presumably includes the carbon of glucose, pyruvate and amino acids, which are exchanging rapidly with that of lactate.

Adrenal glucocorticoid permissive regulation of muscle glycogenolysis: action on protein phosphatase(s) and its inhibitor(s)

Adrenal glucocorticoids exert a permissive action on the glycogen phosphorylase cascade. Epinephrine activation of muscle phosphorylase and phosphorylase b kinase is depressed in adrenalectomized rats. Phosphorylase phosphatase activity is increased by steroid lack, and normal epinephrine inhibition of the enzyme does not occur. Phosphorylase b kinase phosphatase activity is also increased; epinephrine, however, does not inhibit activity in muscle from normal or adrenalectomized rats. Protein phosphatase inhibitor activity is depressed in boiled dialyzed preparations made from adrenalectomized rat muscle. Cortisol resplacement therapy restores protein phosphatase inhibitor activity, decreases increased protein phosphatase activity, and restores normal epinephrine-induced activation of phosphorylase b kinase and phosphorylase and epinephrine inhibition of phosphorylase phosphatase.

Fructose-6-phosphate substrate cycling and glucose and insulin regulation of gluconeogenesis in vivo

The question whether glucose or insulin regulates gluconeogenesis by effecting changes in the fructose-6-phosphate (F-6-P) substrate cycle (phosphofructokinase (PFK), fructose-1,6-diphosphatase (FDPase)) was investigated in vivo in fasted normal rats using [3-3H,U-14C]- or [3-3H,6-14C]glucose. The plasma glucose 3H/14C ratio was used as an index of substrate cycling because 3H loss from the liver hexose phosphate pool is limited by the activities of PFK and FDPase during gluconeogenesis and glycolysis, respectively. The 3H/14C ratio was corrected where necessary for glucose or insulin-induced changes in reincorporation of 14C from C-6 to C-1-3 of plasma glucose. A glucose infusion producing hyperglycemia and insulinemia was accompanied by decreased hepatic glucose production and diminished F-6-P substrate cycling, i.e., decreased FDPase activity. When insulin was infused along with glucose to produce high plasma insulin levels and avoid hypo- or hyperglycemia, the 3H/14C decay rate did not change, suggesting that the hormone does not influence basal rates of gluconeogenesis or PFK or FDPase activities. These in vivo results suggest that increased blood glucose levels inhibit gluconeogenesis and depress F-6-P substrate cycling. Whether these cycle changes constitute primary regulatory actions of glucose or occur secondarily to other metabolic events resulting from excess hexose (e.g., increased glycogen synthetase activity) cannot now be concluded.

Fructose-6-phosphate substrate cycling and hormonal regulation of gluconeogenesis in vivo

The possible role of the hepatic fructose-6-phosphate substrate cycle (phosphofructokinase, fructose-1,6-diphosphatase) in the rapid hormonal regulation of gluconeogenesis was investigated in vivo in fasted normal and adrenalectomized rats after administration of [3-3H, U-14C]- or [3-3H, 6-14C]glucose. The plasma glucose 3H/14C ratio was used as an index of substrate cycling because the amount of 3H loss from liver hexose phosphates is determined by the extent of cycling. PFK and FDPase activities limit 3H loss during gluconeogenesis and glycolysis, respectively. Glucagon-stimulated hepatic glucose production is always accompanied by increased substrate cycling, i.e., increased FDPase and PFK activities. The high PFK activity may be a secondary event due possibly to elevated cellular fructose-6-phosphate levels. Decreased substrate cycling, i.e., lowered FDPase activity, always accompanies the depressed hepatic glucose production that occurs during hyperglycemia. Glucagon has no effect on substrate cycling in adrenalectomized rats that are insensitive to the hormone. The in vivo experiments presented provide evidence, although indirect, that glucagon administration results in changes in the fructose-6-phosphate substrate cycle in a living animal. Whether these changes are primary regulatory events or occur secondarily to hormone actions elsewhere is not known.

Glucose turnover in kelp bass (Paralabrax sp.): in vivo studies with [6-3H,6-14C]glucose

[6-3H,6-14C]glucose was injected via an indwelling arterial cannula in free-swimming, fed, and fasted kelp bass to determine hepatic glucose production, peripheral glucose uptake, minimal glucose mass, mean transit time, and the percent of carbon recycling under the two different nutritional states. Mean plasma glucose levels remained unchanged in fed and fasted fish (48+/-8 vs. 43+/-8 mg/100 ml). During steady-state conditions, glucose replacement rates of fed and fasted fish determined with [6-3H]glucose are similar (0.035+/-0.006 vs. 0.025+/-0.003 mg/min per 100 g) and do not differ from rates determined with [6-14C]glucose (0.035+/-0.005 vs. 0.026+/-0.002). The minimal glucose masses and the mean transit tim-s determined with both isotopes are also similar suggesting that plasma glucose levels and glucose turnover are maintained in fish fasted up to 40 days with no apparent increase in carbon recycling. Nonsteady-state isotope experiments suggest that these fish can alter rates of hepatic glucose production and peripheral uptake in response to hyper- and hypoglycemia.

Estimation of glucose turnover in rats in vivo with tritium labeled glucoses

Starved and starved-refed rats were injected intravenously with labelled glucose (a mixture of [2-3H]-, [3-3H]- and [U-14C]glucose with either [5-3H]- or [6-3H]glucose), and the decay of the specific activity of [14C]glucose followed. Glucose was degraded to obtain the 3H/14C ratios for 3 isotope combinations in the same sample. The apparent rates of replacements, apparent carbon recycling, and the body glucose mass were calculated for the different tracers. The 3H/14C ratio from [2-3H, -U-14C]glucose declined much faster than that of the other tracers. Apparent recycling as calculated in fasted rats was 28% for [2-3H, U-14C]- 18% for [5-3H,-U-14C]- 17% for [3-3H, U-14C]- and 14% for [6-3H,U-14C]glucoses. The values in fed rats showed a similar pattern. We estimate that in fasted rats 85 to 90% of the 3HOH liberated from injected [2-3H]glucose is formed by catabolism in the periphery and the rest by recycling in the liver between glucose and glucose 6-P. Detritiation of other labels by hepatic recycling accounts for a very small fraction of the total 3HOH yield.

Estimation of glucose turnover and recycling in rabbits using various [3H, 14C]glucose labels

The glucose replacement rate, percent carbon recycling, mean glucose transit time, and the glucose mass were determined in fasted unanesthetized rabbits after administration of [2-3H,U-14C]-, [3-3H,U-14C]-, [5-3H,U-14C]- or [6-3H,U-14C]glucose using the procedures of Katz et al. (10). The glucose replacement rates and carbon recycling determined with [2-3H,U-14C] and [5-3H,U-14C]glucose are equivalent and greater than those obtained with [3-3H,U-14C]- and [6-3H,U-14C]glucose. Although the means of the glucose replacement rates and percent carbon recycling obtained using [3-3H,U-14C]- and [6-3H,U-14C]glucose are similar, greater variation resulted using the former tracer. Comparisons of detritiation rates and percent carbon recycling using [2-3H,U-14C]- and [6-3H,U-14C]glucose suggest that about 10% of tritium is lost from carbon 2 via futile cycling at the glucose 6-phosphate level. Similarly, comparisons of [5-3H,U-14C]- and [6-3H,U-14C]glucose metabolism suggest that about 10% of tritium lost from carbon 5 occurs via futile cycling at the fructose diphosphate level and/or via the transaldolase reaction. Our results indicate that [6-3H,U-14C]glucose is the more suitable tracer for determining the glucose replacement rate and carbon recycling in vivo.

Determination of synthesis, recycling and body mass of glucose in rats and rabbits in vivo 3H-and 14C-labelled glucose

1. Glucose labelled with (3)H in position 2 and uniformly with (14)C was administered simultaneously to rabbits and rats either as a single injection or by continuous infusion. Plasma glucose specific radioactivity and the yield of (3)H in the plasma water were monitored. 2. The rates of synthesis, recycling of carbon and total body mass of glucose were calculated, without assuming a multicompartmental model and without fitting data by exponential expressions. 3. The rate of synthesis of glucose in starved-overnight rabbits was 4mg/min per kg (range 3-4.5mg/min per kg) and 25-35% of the glucose carbon was recycled. The mass of total body glucose in starved rabbits was 290mg/kg (range 220-390mg/kg). About one-third of the total body glucose equilibrates nearly instantaneously with plasma glucose. 4. In rats starved overnight, glucose synthesis was about 10mg/min per kg and recycling of carbon ranged from 30-40%. Total body mass (per kg body weight) is similar to that in rabbits. 5. The activity in plasma water after injection of [2-(3)H]glucose was determined. The initial rate of (3)H(2)O formation is rapid, indicating that the major site of glucose catabolism is in the rapidly mixing pool. The curve of total body glucose radioactivity was obtained from the (3)H(2)O yield, and total mass of glucose was calculated. This agrees with that obtained from the (3)H specific-radioactivity curve.