Genetic determinants of gene expression noise and its role in complex trait variation

Abstract

Even genetically identical cells in a homogeneous environment can exhibit heterogeneous mRNA abundance because of widely unavoidable random fluctuations, typically referred to as gene expression noise. Recent studies showed that noise, not just a nuisance, is indeed involved in cellular activities (e.g., immune response), evolutionary processes, and diseases mechanisms. However, determinants of the gene expression noise and its functional role in variations of human complex traits remain largely unexplored. Here, we established an atlas of gene expression noise from 1.23 million human peripheral blood cells of 981 individuals, identifying its age- and gender-dependent pattern. We then identified 10,770 independent expression noise quantitative trait loci (enQTLs) for 6,743 unique enGenes (genetically driven gene expression noise) across 7 immune cell types. Most enQTLs were distinct from expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and showed differential enrichment of functional elements across the genome. Colocalization of enQTLs with trait-associated genetic loci interpreted previously unexplained loci and pinpointed novel putative genes underlying hematopoietic traits and autoimmune diseases. Overall, this study unravels the genetic determinants of gene expression noise and implicates as a previously underappreciated mechanism underlying variation of human complex traits and diseases.