defined by the AREsite database31, http://rna.tbi.univie.ac.at/cgi-bin/AREsite.cgi) among the gene targets of internal cis-eQTL signals (Fisher’s exact P = 7.46 × 10−10) but no significant difference in miRNA binding site densities (two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov P = 0.072). Therefore, while complexity in the relationship between cis-eQTL signals and their gene targets undoubtedly makes interpretation of GWAS hits more challenging, it can also be used to provide insights into the mechanisms underlying gene regulation by cis-eQTLs.
