We identified GWAS signals in several regions that have not been previously implicated in the genetics of AUD, including 2p21, 17q21, 3q25, 8q22, 10p11, 11p11 and 19q13. The index SNP rs13135092 in the 4q24 region is located in an intron of SLC39A8; the remainder of the credible set for this locus is located in a non-coding pseudogene, RN7SL728P. SLC39A8 is highly pleiotropic (27) but it is a novel association in relation to alcohol. A region of association on 2p21 contains 17 SNPs that are localized to the non-coding RNA, LINC01833. A novel region of association was also detected on chromosome 10p11.23; this region contains 9 credible SNPs that localize to the JCAD (junctional cadherin 5 associated) gene. JCAD encodes an endothelial cell junction protein, and has previously been associated with coronary heart disease (28).
