Regulatory variation at serotonin receptor 1F (HTR1F) modulates arousals and risk for sleep apnea

Abstract

BackgroundSleep apnea is a common sleep disorder affecting at least ten percent of the population. It is caused by lack of breathing during sleep, typically mediated by obstruction of airways or less frequently by misdirected central signals for breathing. The primary risk factor is a high body mass index (BMI), causing airway obstruction. However, understanding risk factors for sleep apnea in non-obese (BMI 0.8), and single cell sequencing implicated HTR1F expression particularly in neurons. Analysis of eQTL data further supported a possible regulatory role in neurons (beta = -0.03, P = 1.2e-4). Finally, objectively measured sleep-activity data showed association with number awakenings during night (P = 5.6e-8). ConclusionsThe findings indicate association of HTR1F in sleep apnea particularly in the patient population within the non-obese BMI range and provide insight into the growing evidence of serotonin signaling as a factor modulating liability to sleep apnea.