Gene Variants Identified That May Influence Sexual Orientation In Men And Boys

A large team of researchers from several institutions in the U.S. and one each from Australia and the U.K. has found two gene variants that appear to be more prevalent in gay men than straight men, adding further evidence of sexual orientation having a biological component. In their paper published in Scientific Reports, the group describes their study, which consisted of comparing the genomes of multiple gay men against multiple straight men.


The results by the group represent the first identification of specific genes as perhaps influencing sexual orientation in males. The finding was made as part of a study of DNA samples from 1231 straight men and 1077 gay men. The team reports that they did not focus exclusively on any one part of the genome, instead scanning the entire genome looking for differences in single letters rather than whole chromosomes, as has been done in the past. Doing so, the team further reports, allowed them to identity two gene variants that seemed to be linked to sexual orientation.

One of the genes is located on chromosome 13, which prior research has shown has an impact on the diencephalon, a part of the hypothalamus —a part of the brain shown to be differently sized between gay and straight men. The other gene was found on chromosome 14, which prior research has shown is mainly involved with the thyroid, though it does also have an impact on the brain via a protein involved in stimulating the thyroid. Some prior studies have led to findings that suggest the thyroidmight also be involved in sexual orientation.

The findings by the team do not settle the argument of whether homosexuality in people is biology-based, but instead offers more evidence that suggests it is likely the case. Prior studies that looked at family histories have also offered some evidence of biology playing a role while other studies have found some differences in chromosomes. In this study, the number of samples tested was too small to offer conclusive evidence—larger studies will have to be undertaken to solidify the evidence.


Abstract

Family and twin studies suggest that genes play a role in male sexual orientation. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of male sexual orientation on a primarily European ancestry sample of 1,077 homosexual men and 1,231 heterosexual men using Affymetrix single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. We identified several SNPs with p < 10−5, including regions of multiple supporting SNPs on chromosomes 13 (minimum p = 7.5 × 10−7) and 14 (p = 4.7 × 10−7). The genes nearest to these peaks have functions plausibly relevant to the development of sexual orientation. On chromosome 13, SLITRK6 is a neurodevelopmental gene mostly expressed in the diencephalon, which contains a region previously reported as differing in size in men by sexual orientation. On chromosome 14, TSHR genetic variants in intron 1 could conceivably help explain past findings relating familial atypical thyroid function and male homosexuality. Furthermore, skewed X chromosome inactivation has been found in the thyroid condition, Graves' disease, as well as in mothers of homosexual men. On pericentromeric chromosome 8 within our previously reported linkage peak, we found support (p = 4.1 × 10−3) for a SNP association previously reported (rs77013977, p = 7.1 × 10−8), with the combined analysis yielding p = 6.7 × 10−9, i.e., a genome-wide significant association.

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