Several newly identified loci associated with height are located near genes with less immediately apparent connections to stature, including the G protein-coupled receptor gene GPR126, a locus that encompasses the thyroid hormone receptor interactor TRIP11 and the ataxin ATXN3 genes, a locus with the Huntingtin-interacting gene SH3GL3 and the glycoprotein metalloprotease gene ADAMTSL3 (the later often mutated in colon cancer31), a locus with gene CHCHD7, frequently fused to the PLAG1 oncogene in salivary gland adenomas32, and the epidermal retinal dehydrogenase 2 gene RDHE2. Because of LD (Supplementary Fig. 2), it is possible that the causal alleles at these loci are not located in these genes; fine-mapping in larger cohorts or in populations of different ancestry may be required to pinpoint the relevant gene and functional variant(s). Alternatively, these genes may themselves influence height, and further work will be needed to elucidate the relevant pathways and mechanisms.
