length of sleep
- Length of sleep time is closely related to DNA region rs62158211 near gene PAX8GG type people tend to sleep less.
- The prevalence of type GG among Japanese people is 79.9%.This is approximately 1.2 times higher than the world average of 64.9%.
- Functional abnormalities of the PAX8 geneExcessive secretion of thyroid hormoneand shorten sleep time through activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
Overview Do genes determine the length of sleep? Getting the right amount of sleep is important for living a healthy life. Recent research has revealed that a certain region of the gene PAX8 is closely related to sleep duration. This area may affect the symptoms of not being able to sleep even if you want to, and it is said that depending on the type, it may shorten sleep time. It is important to get adequate sleep because short sleep times increase the risk of mental illnesses, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Quality sleep has not only physical benefits, but also mental benefits such as relieving stress and preventing depression. By learning your own genetic type through genetic testing, you may be able to understand genetic information related to sleep and lead a healthier life. 2. Rationale Research conducted by the British Biobank Project revealed that a specific genetic region near the gene "PAX8" is associated with short sleep duration. There is a DNA region in this region called "rs62158211", and there are three genotypes: "GG" type, "GT" type, and "TT type". Among Japanese people, the ``GG'' type is the most common at 77.4%, the ``GT'' type is slightly more common at 21.2%, and the ``TT'' type is the least common at 1.4%. It has also been reported that ``GG'' types tend to have shorter sleep times, and ``GT'' types tend to have slightly shorter sleep times. 3. Mechanism of action The gene "PAX8" is located on chromosome 2 of the 24 chromosomes that humans have. This gene is particularly abundant in the thyroid gland and contains information regarding the development and maintenance of thyroid function (reference link 3). The thyroid gland has the role of secreting thyroid hormone, but if PAX8 is not functioning properly, excess thyroid hormone may be secreted. This excess secretion is known to activate the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in increased heart rate and a state of excitement, making it difficult to fall asleep and tending to shorten sleep time. In this way, the ``PAX8'' gene and the length of sleep time are thought to be related. Therefore, "rs62158211" is attracting attention as one of the DNA regions involved in the length of sleep.
What is the length of sleep?
Length of sleep refers to the total amount of time you sleep per night, and research has shown that the DNA region rs62158211 near the gene PAX8 influences the length of sleep.Ensuring an appropriate amount of sleep is essential for maintaining physical and mental health.
What is the impact of sleep time on health?
Too little or too little sleep poses both physical and mental health risks. The specific impacts are categorized below.
Effects of lack of sleep on the body
- High blood pressure:If you sleep less than 6 hours, your risk of developing high blood pressure increases by approximately 1.5 times.
- Diabetes:Chronic sleep deprivation increases insulin resistance and increases risk of type 2 diabetes
- Immune function decline:Lack of sleep suppresses immune cell activity and reduces resistance to infections.
- Obesity:Lack of sleep disrupts the balance of appetite-regulating hormones (ghrelin and leptin) and promotes overeating.
Effects on mental and cognitive functions
- Mental illness:Increased risk of developing depression and anxiety disorders
- Cognitive decline:Decreased concentration, judgment, and memory, interfering with daily life
- Decreased stress tolerance:Abnormal secretion of stress hormone (cortisol) occurs
Adequate sleep vs. sleep deprivation
| Comparison items | Adequate sleep (7-9 hours) | Lack of sleep (less than 6 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| blood pressure | maintain normal range | Hypertension risk increases approximately 1.5 times |
| metabolic function | Normal insulin sensitivity | Increased risk of diabetes |
| mental state | Stress relief and depression prevention effect | Increased risk of depression/anxiety disorders |
| immune function | Immune cells work normally | Reduced resistance to infections |
Relationship between genes and length of sleep
Relationship between DNA region rs62158211 and sleep time
Research by Lane et al. at the British Biobank Project and Massachusetts General Hospital revealed that the DNA region rs62158211 near the gene PAX8 is associated with length of sleep.
- There are three genotypes of rs62158211: GG, GT, and TT.
- GG typepeople tend to sleep less
- GT typePeople tend to sleep for less time
- This gene region is related to the PAX8 gene (chromosome 2)
Comparison of genotype distribution in Japanese and the world (rs62158211)
| Genotype | Percentage of Japanese people | percentage of the world |
|---|---|---|
| GG type(Tendency to sleep less) | 79.9% | 64.9% |
| GT type(Tends to sleep a little less time) | 18.9% | 31.3% |
| TT type | 1.1% | 3.7% |
The prevalence of type GG among Japanese people is79.9%This is approximately 1.2 times higher than the global average of 64.9%. Japanese people have a higher proportion of type GG than the world average, indicating that they are a population with a genetic tendency to shorten their sleep time.
Why does the PAX8 gene affect sleep time?
The PAX8 gene is located on chromosome 2 and contains information regarding the development and maintenance of thyroid function.If this gene is not functioning properly, it will affect sleep time through the following mechanisms:
- Excessive secretion of thyroid hormone:Abnormal PAX8 function causes excessive secretion of thyroid hormones
- Activation of sympathetic nerves:Excess thyroid hormone stimulates the sympathetic nervous system
- Increased heart rate/excited state:Activation of the sympathetic nervous system causes the heart rate to increase and the body to become excited.
- Difficulty falling asleep/shortened sleep time:Excitement makes it difficult to fall asleep, resulting in shorter sleep time
Rationale for testing
Surface DNA region: Length of sleep time
The gene region that most strongly influences sleep duration is rs62158211. The distribution of isomorphic genotypes in Japan is as follows.
- GG 79.9 %
- GT 18.9 %
- TT 1.1 %
Basis for inspection
A study by Lane and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital revealed that the length of sleep is linked to genes. There is a region called rs62158211 in the human genome, and there are two types of mutations, G and T, in the gene in this region. It was found that people with the G type mutation tend to sleep longer.
The DNA region investigated this time
Schematic diagram of DNA map present in cells
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Related genes
| Related genes | LINC02966 |
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is the length of sleep time?
Length of sleep refers to the total amount of time you sleep per night.The appropriate amount of sleep varies from person to person, but 7 to 9 hours is generally recommended for adults. If you sleep less than 6 hours, your risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, and mental illness increases. Good quality sleep also has psychological effects such as stress relief and depression prevention.
Q2. Is the length of sleep time related to genes?
Yes.Research by the British Biobank Project and Lane et al. at Massachusetts General Hospital has revealed that the DNA region rs62158211 near the gene PAX8 is associated with length of sleep.There are three genotypes of rs62158211: GG, GT, and TT, and people with the GG type tend to have short sleep times.
Q3. What is the distribution of the genotype (rs62158211) related to length of sleep in Japanese people?
The genotype distribution of rs62158211 in Japanese people isGG type 79.9%, GT type 18.9%, TT type 1.1%It is. Worldwide, 64.9% are GG type, 31.3% are GT type, and 3.7% are TT type, and Japanese people have a characteristic that the proportion of GG type is about 1.2 times higher than the world average.
Q4. Why does the PAX8 gene affect sleep time?
The PAX8 gene is located on chromosome 2 and is involved in the development and maintenance of thyroid function.When PAX8 does not function properly, too much thyroid hormone is secreted. Excess thyroid hormone activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing increased heart rate and a state of excitement, making it difficult to fall asleep and shortening sleep time.
References
- Reference link 1: 2016 Aug., Jones, Samuel E., PLoS genetics.
- Reference link 2: DNA Information on region “rs62158211” NIH
- Reference link 3: 2014 Dec., D J Gottlieb, Molecular psychiatry.
- Reference link 4: 2017 Feb., Jacqueline M Lane, Nat Genet