In conclusion, by running gene and pathway analyses in the Tobacco and Genetics Consortium sample, we found twenty-one genes and several biological pathways implicated in several smoking behaviors. Using the largest sample amassed yet in a GWAS of smoking we found that aside from the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors - known for the rewarding role they play in nicotine dependence, the cell-cycle regulators are possible targets in smoking cessation therapy. Our results shed light on one of the world's leading causes of preventable death and open a path to potential targets for therapeutics. These results are informative in decoding the biological bases of the addiction phenotypes and disease traits such as schizophrenia, depression and cancers with which smoking shares risk loci and biological pathways.
