Cross-ancestry atlas of gene, isoform, and splicing regulation in the developing human brain

Science. 2024 May 24;384(6698):eadh0829. doi: 10.1126/science.adh0829. Epub 2024 May 24.

Abstract

Neuropsychiatric genome-wide association studies (GWASs), including those for autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia, show strong enrichment for regulatory elements in the developing brain. However, prioritizing risk genes and mechanisms is challenging without a unified regulatory atlas. Across 672 diverse developing human brains, we identified 15,752 genes harboring gene, isoform, and/or splicing quantitative trait loci, mapping 3739 to cellular contexts. Gene expression heritability drops during development, likely reflecting both increasing cellular heterogeneity and the intrinsic properties of neuronal maturation. Isoform-level regulation, particularly in the second trimester, mediated the largest proportion of GWAS heritability. Through colocalization, we prioritized mechanisms for about 60% of GWAS loci across five disorders, exceeding adult brain findings. Finally, we contextualized results within gene and isoform coexpression networks, revealing the comprehensive landscape of transcriptome regulation in development and disease.

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Atlases as Topic
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / genetics
  • Brain* / embryology
  • Brain* / growth & development
  • Brain* / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders* / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Quantitative Trait Loci
  • Schizophrenia / genetics
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Protein Isoforms