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L Kruglyak

Publications and source records attributed to L Kruglyak.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Large-scale identification, mapping, and genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the human genome.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most frequent type of variation in the human genome, and they provide powerful tools for a variety of medical genetic studies. In a large-scale survey for SNPs, 2.3 megabases of human genomic DNA was examined by a combination of gel-based sequencing and high-density variation-detection DNA chips. A total of 3241 candidate SNPs were identified. A genetic map was constructed showing the location of 2227 of these SNPs. Prototype genotyping chips were developed that allow simultaneous genotyping of 500 SNPs. The results provide a characterization of human diversity at the nucleotide level and demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale identification of human SNPs.

Algorithms↗

Sib-pair collection strategies for complex diseases.

When planning an affected sib pair collection for use in a genomewide search for complex trait loci, researchers must ask: (a) Which family structures will yield the most informative pairs? and (b) Should recruitment extend beyond the index sib pair? The optimal collection strategy will depend on the trait's genetic architecture, but this is rarely known for non-Mendelian diseases. In the present report, we study the consequences of collecting only those sib pairs arising from pedigrees with a precisely specified structure as opposed to a strategy that collects all affected sib pairs at random (i.e., blind to the affection status of first-degree relatives). The former approach turns out to be risky because the power of specific pedigree structures can vary dramatically even among models producing identical observable parameters (such as population prevalence and sibling recurrence rate). In contrast, the latter approach typically involves only a modest loss of power as compared with the optimal (but unknowable) design. Further, we compare the strategy of collecting all affected sib pairs at random with the alternative of imposing some modest limitations on family structure (e.g., presence of at least one unaffected sib or parent). The latter approach generally provides some increase in power but entails additional effort to contact and phenotype relatives: the overall merit of imposing such requirements needs to be evaluated in the context of the specific disease to be studied and of the clinical and analytical resources available. In addition, these findings suggest that a further explanation for failure to replicate positive complex trait linkages lies in differences in ascertainment strategy between data sets.

Data Collection↗

Faster multipoint linkage analysis using Fourier transforms.

Genetic linkage analysis of human pedigrees using many linked markers simultaneously is a difficult computational problem. We have previously described an approach to this problem that uses hidden Markov models (HMMs) and is quite efficient for pedigrees of moderate size. Here, we describe a new, faster algorithm for the key step in the HMM calculation. The algorithm employs a fast Fourier transform on the group of pedigree inheritance patterns. It substantially improves the overall performance of the software package GENEHUNTER for performing linkage analysis. The Fourier representation opens up new research directions for pedigree analysis.

Algorithms↗

Genome scan of schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to identify chromosomal regions likely to contain schizophrenia susceptibility genes. METHOD: A genomewide map of 310 microsatellite DNA markers with average spacing of 11 centimorgans was genotyped in 269 individuals--126 of them with schizophrenia-related psychoses--from 43 pedigrees. Nonparametric linkage analysis was used to assess the pattern of allele sharing at each marker locus relative to the presence of disease. RESULTS: Nonparametric linkage scores did not reach a genomewide level of statistical significance for any marker. There were five chromosomal regions in which empirically derived p values reached nominal levels of significance at eight marker locations. There were p values less than 0.01 at chromosomes 2q (with the peak value in this region at D2S410) and 10q (D10S1239), and there were p values less than 0.05 at chromosomes 4q (D4S2623), 9q (D9S257), and 11q (D11S2002). CONCLUSIONS: The results do not support the hypothesis that a single gene causes a large increase in the risk of schizophrenia. The sample (like most others being studied for psychiatric disorders) has limited power to detect genes of small effect or those that are determinants of risk in a small proportion of families. All of the most positive results could be due to chance, or some could reflect weak linkage (genes of small effect). Multicenter studies may be useful in the effort to identify chromosomal regions most likely to contain schizophrenia susceptibility genes.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Linkage of a neurophysiological deficit in schizophrenia to a chromosome 15 locus.

Inheritance of a defect in a neuronal mechanism that regulates response to auditory stimuli was studied in nine families with multiple cases of schizophrenia. The defect, a decrease in the normal inhibition of the P50 auditory-evoked response to the second of paired stimuli, is associated with attentional disturbances in schizophrenia. Decreased P50 inhibition occurs not only in most schizophrenics, but also in many of their nonschizophrenic relatives, in a distribution consistent with inherited vulnerability for the illness. Neurobiological investigations in both humans and animal models indicated that decreased function of the alpha 7-nicotinic cholinergic receptor could underlie the physiological defect. In the present study, a genome-wide linkage analysis, assuming autosomal dominant transmission, showed that the defect is linked [maximum logarithm of the odds (lod) score = 5.3 with zero recombination] to a dinucleotide polymorphism at chromosome 15q13-14, the site of the alpha 7-nicotinic receptor. Despite many schizophrenics' extremely heavy nicotine use, nicotinic receptors were not previously thought to be involved in schizophrenia. The linkage data thus provide unique new evidence that the alpha 7-nicotinic receptor gene may be responsible for the inheritance of a pathophysiological aspect of the illness.

Auditory Perception↗

Do multiple data sets provide support for a bipolar illness susceptibility locus on chromosome 18?

We carried out nonparametric linkage (NPL) analysis of the five chromosome 18 data sets for bipolar illness, as well as of the combined data set. Prior to analysis, we constructed a common genetic map and computed separate marker allele frequencies for each data set. We also attempted to create two consistent diagnostic categories, Narrow (bipolar I, BPI, only) and Broad. The results of the analysis of the combined data set provided stronger evidence of linkage under the Broad category, but at a level of significance that would be expected to occur by chance 4-5 times in a whole-genome scan. When the data sets were analyzed individually, the NIMH data set showed suggestive evidence of linkage (p = 0.0007). The other four data sets, considered together or separately, failed to support this finding, showing only slightly elevated allele sharing among affecteds at a level that would not be unexpected in an unlinked chromosomal region.

Bipolar Disorder↗

The vibrator mutation causes neurodegeneration via reduced expression of PITP alpha: positional complementation cloning and extragenic suppression.

The mouse vibrator mutation causes an early-onset progressive action tremor, degeneration of brain stem and spinal cord neurons, and juvenile death. We cloned the vibrator mutation using an in vivo positional complementation approach and complete resequencing of the resulting 76 kb critical region from vibrator and its parental chromosome. The mutation is an intracisternal A particle retroposon insertion in intron 4 of the phosphatidylinositol transfer protein alpha gene, causing a 5-fold reduction in RNA and protein levels. Expression of neurofilament light chain is also reduced in vibrator, suggesting one signaling pathway that may underlie vibrator pathology. The vibrator phenotype is suppressed in one intercross. We performed a complete genome scan and mapped a major suppressor locus (Mvb-1) to proximal chromosome 19.

Alleles↗

The use of a genetic map of biallelic markers in linkage studies.

Improvements in genetic mapping techniques have driven recent progress in human genetics. The use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as biallelic genetic markers offers the promise of rapid, highly automated genotyping. As maps of SNPs and the techniques for genotyping them are being developed, it is important to consider what properties such maps must have in order for them to be useful for linkage studies. I examine how polymorphic and densely spaced biallelic markers need to be for extraction of most of the inheritance information from human pedigrees, and compare maps of biallelics with today's genome-scanning sets of microsatellite markers. I conclude that a map of 700-900 moderately polymorphic biallelic markers is equivalent--and a map of 1,500-3,000 superior--to the current 300-400 microsatellite marker sets.

Alleles↗

Building human genome maps with radiation hybrids.

Genome maps are crucial tools in human genetic research, providing known landmarks for locating disease genes and frameworks for large-scale sequencing. Radiation hybrid mapping is one technique for building genome maps. In this paper, we describe the methods used to build radiation hybrid maps of the entire human genome. We present the hidden Markov model that we employ to estimate the likelihood of a map despite uncertainty about the data, and we discuss the problem of searching for maximum-likelihood maps. We describe the graph algorithms used to find sparse but reliable initial maps and our methods of extending them. Finally, we show results validating our software on simulated data, and we describe our genome-wide human radiation hybrid maps and the evidence supporting them.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Genetic control of serum IgE levels and asthma: linkage and linkage disequilibrium studies in an isolated population.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration in serum is elevated in atopic diseases such as asthma. A large genomic region on chromosome 5 has previously been implicated in the control of IgE levels and bronchial hyperreactivity and may, therefore, harbor genes predisposing to asthma. In an effort to confirm this linkage and to delimit the critical region, we took advantage of an isolated founder subpopulation in Finland to study genetic linkage and haplotype associations. Sixteen polymorphic markers, including the Interleukin-4 and -9 genes (IL4, IL9), were physically ordered and genotyped in 157 nuclear families. Genetic linkage studies involving sib- and cousin-pair analyses found no evidence of genetic linkage between markers in 5q and either serum IgE levels or asthma. Haplotype association studies were also performed. Although initial inspection suggested the possibility of linkage disequilibrium in the region of IL9, we developed a rigorous permutation test for assessing association and determined that the association was no greater than would be expected by chance. Sequence analysis of the IL9 gene in three patients sharing a possibly conserved haplotype revealed a T113M coding polymorphism, but this variant showed no association with either serum IgE levels or asthma. We conclude that allelic variation at chromosome 5q31 is not likely to contribute to inheritance of serum IgE levels or the development of asthma in this Finnish subpopulation.

Adolescent↗

Disruption of the nuclear hormone receptor RORalpha in staggerer mice.

Homozygous staggerer (sg) mice show a characteristic severe cerebellar ataxia due to a cell-autonomous defect in the development of Purkinje cells. These cells show immature morphology, synaptic arrangement, biochemical properties and gene expression, and are reduced in numbers. In addition, sg heterozygotes show accelerated dendritic atrophy and cell loss, suggesting that sg has a role in mature Purkinje cells. Effects of this mutation on cerebellar development have been studied for 25 years, but its molecular basis has remained unknown. We have genetically mapped staggerer to an interval of 160 kilobases on mouse chromosome 9 which was found to contain the gene encoding RORalpha, a member of the nuclear hormone-receptor superfamily. Staggerer mice were found to carry a deletion within the RORalpha gene that prevents translation of the ligand-binding homology domain. We propose a model based on these results, in which RORalpha interacts with the thyroid hormone signalling pathway to induce Purkinje-cell maturation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mapping of a gene for type 2 diabetes associated with an insulin secretion defect by a genome scan in Finnish families.

Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) affects more than 100 million people worldwide and is associated with severe metabolic defects, including peripheral insulin resistance, elevated hepatic glucose production, and inappropriate insulin secretion. Family studies point to a major genetic component, but specific susceptibility genes have not yet been identified-except for rare early-onset forms with monogenic or mitochondrial inheritance. We have screened over 4,000 individuals from a population isolate in western Finland, identified 26 families (comprising 217 individuals) enriched for NIDDM and performed a genome-wide scan using non-parametric linkage analysis. We found no significant evidence for linkage when the families were analysed together, but strong evidence for linkage when families were classified according to mean insulin levels in affecteds (in oral glucose tolerance tests). Specifically, families with the lowest insulin levels showed linkage (P = 2 x 10(-6)) to chromosome 12 near D12S1349. Interestingly, this region contains the gene causing the rare, dominant, early-onset form of diabetes MODY3. Unlike MODY3 families, the Finnish families with low insulin have an age-of-onset typical for NIDDM (mean = 58 years). We infer the existence of a gene NIDDM2 causing NIDDM associated with low insulin secretion, and suggest that NIDDM2 and MODY3 may represent different alleles of the same gene.

Adult↗

Linkage disequilibrium mapping places the gene causing familial Mediterranean fever close to D16S246.

This report presents refined genetic mapping data for the gene causing familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), a recessively inherited disorder of inflammation. We sampled 65 Jewish, Armenian, and Arab families and typed them for eight markers from chromosome 16p. Using a new algorithm that permits multipoint calculations for a dense map of markers in consanguineous families, we obtained a maximal LOD score of 49.2 at a location 1.6 cM centromeric to D16S246. A specific haplotype at D16S283-D16S94-D16S246 was found in 76% of Moroccan and 32% of non-Moroccan Jewish carrier chromosomes, but this haplotype was not overrepresented in Armenian or Arab FMF carriers. Moreover, the 2.5-kb allele at D16S246 was significantly associated with FMF in Moroccan and non-Moroccan Jews but not in Armenians or Arabs. Since the Moroccan Jewish community represents a relatively recently established and genetically isolated founder population, we analyzed the Moroccan linkage-disequilibrium data by using Luria-Delbrück formulas and simulations based on a Poisson branching process. These methods place the FMF susceptibility gene within 0.305 cM of D16S246 (2-LOD-unit range 0.02-0.64 cM).

Algorithms↗