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Genetic factors influencing apolipoprotein AI and AII levels in a kindred with premature coronary heart disease.

A single 51-member kindred, ascertained on the basis of a normotriglyceridemic proband with depressed high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and myocardial infarctions at ages 40 and 42, was studied with respect to quantitative variation in HDL-C and apolipoprotein (apo) AI and AII levels. The results of bivariate segregation analysis suggest that the etiology of depressed HDL-C involves one or possibly two major loci: one has a pleiotropic effect on apo AI and apo AII levels and, possibly another one that affects apo AI levels. Both the major loci were characterized as having a dominant allele leading to depression of the respective trait(s). In addition, analysis of the cosegregation of HDL-C and apo AI levels gave evidence of residual nonfamilial factors common to both traits, leading to a positive covariance between them. This could reflect the role of apo AI in the transformation of nascent HDL-C particles into mature ones via its cofactor activity to lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase. The proposed two-locus model represents one possible etiology for the heterogeneous disorder of hypoalphalipoproteinemia. This analysis of a single pedigree does not completely define the genetic mechanism, but it does illustrate a useful new analytic approach.

Apolipoprotein A-I↗

Immunoblot analysis of the antibody response to murine cytomegalovirus in genetically resistant and susceptible mice.

The murine of human cytomegalovirus infection was employed to analyse the kinetics of antibody production to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) structural and immediate early (IE) polypeptides following MCMV infection of genetically resistant and susceptible strains of mice. A total of 22 structural and six non-structural. IE proteins were identified. Analysis of immunoblots by densitometry identified four patterns of antibody reactivity to MCMV structural polypeptides during primary and secondary antibody responses over a period of 5 weeks post-infection (p.i.). Firstly, antibodies were strongly reactive with an 83K protein soon after infection, with levels which decreased with time: antibodies to a second group of viral proteins were also recognized soon after infection, but consistent levels of reactivity were maintained. Viral proteins that were recognized beyond day 14 p.i. or following a second MCMV infection formed the third group; the fourth consisted of viral proteins that were detected at variable times p.i. by antisera different mouse strains. The kinetics and intensity of the antibody response to individual viral proteins were influenced by virus dose, time p.i. and by a second MCMV infection. In addition, the genetic constitution of the host influenced the antibody response to MCMV proteins both quantitatively and qualitatively. In particular, sera from mice possessing C57BL but not BALB/c genes detected a 56K Mr viral during seroconversion. Antibody reactivity to this protein was shown to segregate among sera from CXB mice, with a strain distribution pattern which indicated a linkage with the b locus on chromosome 4. Finally, expression of the 56K protein was detected in B10. BR but not BALB/c embryo fibroblasts in vitro, with expression being a dominant trait in (BALB/c x B10.BR) F1 embryo fibroblasts. Thus, host genes may influence the expression of this structural viral protein.

Animals↗

QTLs for enzyme activities and soluble carbohydrates involved in starch accumulation during grain filling in maize.

ADPglucose, the essential substrate for starch synthesis, is synthesized in maize by a pathway involving at least invertases, sucrose synthase, and ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase, as shown by the starch-deficient mutants, mn1, sh1, and bt2 or sh2, respectively. To improve understanding of the relationship between early grain-filling traits and carbohydrate composition in mature grain, QTLs linked to soluble invertase, sucrose synthase, and ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase activities and to starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose concentrations were investigated. In order to take into account the specific time-course of each enzyme activity during grain filling, sampling was carried out at three periods (15, 25, and 35 d after pollination) on 100 lines from a recombinant inbred family, grown in the field. The MQTL method associated with QTL interaction analysis revealed numerous QTLs for all traits, but only one QTL was consistently observed at the three sampling periods. Some chromosome zones were heavily labelled, forming clusters of QTLs. Numerous possible candidate genes of the starch synthetic pathway co-located with QTLs. Four QTLs were found close to the locus Sh1 (bin 9.01) coding for the sucrose synthase. In order to confirm the importance of this locus, the CAPS polymorphism of the Sh1 gene was analysed in 45 genetically unrelated maize lines from various geographical origins. The DNA polymorphism was significantly associated with phenotypic traits related to grain filling (starch and amylose content, grain matter, and ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase activity at 35 DAP). Thus, the Sh1 locus could provide a physiologically pertinent marker for maize selection.

Carbohydrate Metabolism↗

Assessing the performance of different high-density tiling microarray strategies for mapping transcribed regions of the human genome.

Genomic tiling microarrays have become a popular tool for interrogating the transcriptional activity of large regions of the genome in an unbiased fashion. There are several key parameters associated with each tiling experiment (e.g., experimental protocols and genomic tiling density). Here, we assess the role of these parameters as they are manifest in different tiling-array platforms used for transcription mapping. First, we analyze how a number of published tiling-array experiments agree with established gene annotation on human chromosome 22. We observe that the transcription detected from high-density arrays correlates substantially better with annotation than that from other array types. Next, we analyze the transcription-mapping performance of the two main high-density oligonucleotide array platforms in the ENCODE regions of the human genome. We hybridize identical biological samples and develop several ways of scoring the arrays and segmenting the genome into transcribed and nontranscribed regions, with the aim of making the platforms most comparable to each other. Finally, we develop a platform comparison approach based on agreement with known annotation. Overall, we find that the performance improves with more data points per locus, coupled with statistical scoring approaches that properly take advantage of this, where this larger number of data points arises from higher genomic tiling density and the use of replicate arrays and mismatches. While we do find significant differences in the performance of the two high-density platforms, we also find that they complement each other to some extent. Finally, our experiments reveal a significant amount of novel transcription outside of known genes, and an appreciable sample of this was validated by independent experiments.

Cell Line↗

Fine mapping and characterization of candidate lung tumor resistance genes for the Par2 locus on mouse chromosome 18.

In a number of recent studies, a lung tumor resistance locus designated either Par2 or Pas7 was mapped to distal chromosome 18 in crosses between susceptible A/J and more resistant BALB/c mice. This locus is important in that it accounts for as much as 60% of the difference in lung tumor susceptibility between the A/J and BALB/c mice, both of which contain the susceptible allele of Kras2, a marker and strong candidate for the major lung tumor susceptibility gene on mouse chromosome 6. We have now fine-mapped the Par2 locus by using congenic mice that were constructed by placing part of chromosome 18 from the susceptible A/J onto the genetic background of lung tumor-resistant BALB/c mice. After 7 generations of backcrossing, N7 mice that carried 28 cM of the A/J quantitative trait locus (QTL) region were crossed to the BALB/c to generate the N8 generation. Congenic strains (N8) that contain various QTL regions were generated. N9 mice, generated from N8 males x 3 BALB/c females, were genotyped in the region of the Par2 locus and treated with an initiating dose of urethane and allowed to form lung tumors over 6 months. The mice were killed and the lung tumors counted. With this cross the Par2 locus was narrowed to a 6-cM region. Potential candidate genes in this region include Smad4, Smad2, and Dcc. Previously, we excluded Smad4 and Smad2 as candidates for Par2 based on the lack of functional polymorphism(s) and differential expression in lungs from A/J and BALB/c mice. In this study, no polymorphism of the coding sequence of Dcc was observed between A/J and BALB/c mice. Further fine mapping and positional cloning are required for the identification of the Par2 gene.

Adenoma↗

Mapping of genes for cooking and eating qualities in Thai jasmine rice (KDML105).

Thai jasmine rice, KDML 105, is known as the best quality rice. It is known not only for its aroma but also for its good cooking and eating qualities. Amylose content (AC), gel consistency (GC) and gelatinization temperature (GT) are important traits determining rice quality. A population of recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from KDML105 x CT9993 cross was used to study the genetic control of AC, GC and GT traits. A total of 191 markers were used in the linkage map construction. The 1605.3 cM linkage map covering nearly the whole rice genome was used for QTL (define QTL) analysis. Four QTLs for AC were detected on chromosomes 3, 4, 6 and 7. These QTLs accounted for 80% of phenotypic variation explained (PVE) in AC. The presence of one major gene as well as several modifiers was responsible for the expression of the trait. Two QTLs on chromosome 6 and one on chromosome 7 were detected for GC, which accounts for 57% of PVE. A single gene of major effect along with modifier genes controls GC from this cross. The QTLs in the vicinity of waxy locus were major contributors in the expression of AC and GC. The finding that the position of QTLs for AC and GC were near each other may reflect tight linkage or pleiotropy. Three QTLs were detected, one on chromosome 2 and two on chromosome 6, which accounted for 67% of PVE in GT. Just like AC and GC, one major gene and modifier genes governed the variation in GT resulting from the KDML105 x CT9993 cross. Breeding for cooking and eating qualities will largely rely on the preferences of the end users.

Amylose↗

Stable two-element control of dTph1 transposition in mutator strains of Petunia by an inactive ACT1 introgression from a wild species.

The high copy dTph1 transposon system of Petunia (Solanaceae) is one of the most powerful insertion mutagens in plants, but its activity cannot be controlled in the commonly used mutator strains. We analysed the regulation of dTph1 activity by QTL analysis in recombinant inbred lines of the mutator strain W138 and a wild species (P. integrifolia spp. inflata). Two genetic factors were identified that control dTph1 transposition. One corresponded to the ACT1 locus on chromosome I. A second, previously undescribed locus ACT2 mapped on chromosome V. As a 6-cM introgression in W138, the P. i. inflata act1(S6) allele behaved as a single recessive locus that fully eliminated transposition of all dTph1 elements in all stages of plant development and in a heritable fashion. Weak dTph1 activity was restored in act1S6/ACT2S6 double introgression lines, indicating that the P. i. inflata allele at ACT2 conferred a low level of transposition. Thus, the act1S6 allele is useful for simple and predictable control of transposition of the entire dTph1 family when introgressed into an ultra-high copy W138 mutator strain. We demonstrate the use of the ACT1W138/act1S6 allele pair in a two-element dTph1 transposition system by producing 10,000 unique and fixed dTph1 insertions in a population of 1250 co-isogenic lines. This Petunia system produces the highest per plant insertion number of any known two-element system, providing a powerful and logistically simple tool for transposon mutagenesis of qualitative as well as quantitative traits.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Microarray analysis of hepatic gene expression in gallstone-susceptible and gallstone-resistant mice.

Cholesterol gallstone disease affects 40 million Americans, and evidence indicates that there is a genetic component to human gallstone disease. In a mouse model of gallstone formation, where mice are fed a lithogenic diet, QTL analysis has been employed to identify the Lith 1 locus on Chromosome (Chr) 2. In order to identify genes in which the difference in expression is independent of factors other than strain-specific genotype, we employed microarray analysis of hepatic gene expression in gallstone-susceptible (C57L/J) and gallstone-resistant (AKR/J) mice. We observed 57 genes with consistent differential expression between C57L/J and AKR/J mice, including many cytochrome, antioxidant, and lipid peroxidation genes. Analysis of differentially expressed genes identified numerous genes involved in fatty acid metabolism. Northern analysis of selected lipid metabolic genes further confirmed the strain-specific differential expression. Literature searches of common regulatory elements within antioxidant systems identified the nuclear transcription factor Nrf2, which maps to the Lith 1 loci. Hepatic Nrf2 gene and protein expression is also increased in strain AKR/J, compared with C57L/J mice, identifying Nrf2 as a putative Lith 1 gallstone gene. These data indicate that microarray analysis may complement QTL analysis to identify systems of regulation and genotypic differences responsible for polygenic diseases.

Animals↗

Molecular and genomic studies of IMMP2L and mutation screening in autism and Tourette syndrome.

We recently reported the disruption of the inner mitochondrial membrane peptidase 2-like (IMMP2L) gene by a chromosomal breakpoint in a patient with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS). In the present study we sought to identify genetic variation in IMMP2L, which, through alteration of protein function or level of expression might contribute to the manifestation of GTS. We screened 39 GTS patients, and, due to the localization of IMMP2L in the critical region for the autistic disorder (AD) locus on chromosome 7q (AUTS1), 95 multiplex AD families; however, no coding mutations were found in either GTS or AD patients. In addition, no parental-specific expression of IMMP2L was detected in somatic cell hybrids containing human chromosome 7 and human cell lines carrying a maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 7 (mUPD7). Despite the fact that no deleterious mutations in IMMPL2 (other than the inverted duplication identified previously) were identified in either GTS or AD, this gene cannot be excluded as a possible rare cause of either disorder.

Autistic Disorder↗

Polymorphisms in the taste receptor gene (Tas1r3) region are associated with saccharin preference in 30 mouse strains.

The results of recent studies suggest that the mouse Sac (saccharin preference) locus is identical to the Tas1r3 (taste receptor) gene. The goal of this study was to identify Tas1r3 sequence variants associated with saccharin preference in a large number of inbred mouse strains. Initially, we sequenced approximately 6.7 kb of the Tas1r3 gene and its flanking regions from six inbred mouse strains with high and low saccharin preference, including the strains in which the Sac alleles were described originally (C57BL/6J, Sac(b); DBA/2J, Sac(d)). Of the 89 sequence variants detected among these six strains, eight polymorphic sites were significantly associated with preferences for 1.6 mm saccharin. Next, each of these eight variant sites were genotyped in 24 additional mouse strains. Analysis of the genotype-phenotype associations in all 30 strains showed the strongest association with saccharin preference at three sites: nucleotide (nt) -791 (3 bp insertion/deletion), nt +135 (Ser45Ser), and nt +179 (Ile60Thr). We measured Tas1r3 gene expression, transcript size, and T1R3 immunoreactivity in the taste tissue of two inbred mouse strains with different Tas1r3 haplotypes and saccharin preferences. The results of these experiments suggest that the polymorphisms associated with saccharin preference do not act by blocking gene expression, changing alternative splicing, or interfering with protein translation in taste tissue. The amino acid substitution (Ile60Thr) may influence the ability of the protein to form dimers or bind sweeteners. Here, we present data for future studies directed to experimentally confirm the function of these polymorphisms and highlight some of the difficulties of identifying specific DNA sequence variants that underlie quantitative trait loci.

Animals↗

Identification of candidate genes in the type 2 diabetes modifier locus using expression QTL.

To identify new genetic determinants relevant to type 2 diabetes (T2D), diabetic F2 progeny were generated by intercrossing F1 mice obtained from a cross of BKS.Cg-Lepr(db)+/+m and DBA/2, and T2D-related phenotypes were measured. In the F2 population, increased susceptibility to diabetes and obesity was observed. We also detected the major quantitative trait loci (QTL) modifying the severity of diabetes on chromosome 9, where peaks of logarithm of odds (LOD) overlapped for three traits. To identify candidate genes in the QTL intervals, we combined "expression QTL" (eQTL), taking mRNA levels as quantitative traits, and "interstrain sequence variations, including cSNPs." As a result, four genes were identified from cosegregation of clinical QTL with eQTL and 13 genes were found from interstrain cSNPs as candidates in the T2D modifier QTL. Our combined approach shows the acceleration of the discovery of candidate genes in the QTL of interest, spanning several megabases.

Animals↗

Effects of genetic drift on variance components under a general model of epistasis.

We analyze the changes in the mean and variance components of a quantitative trait caused by changes in allele frequencies, concentrating on the effects of genetic drift. We use a general representation of epistasis and dominance that allows an arbitrary relation between genotype and phenotype for any number of diallelic loci. We assume initial and final Hardy-Weinberg and linkage equilibrium in our analyses of drift-induced changes. Random drift generates transient linkage disequilibria that cause correlations between allele frequency fluctuations at different loci. However, we show that these have negligible effects, at least for interactions among small numbers of loci. Our analyses are based on diffusion approximations that summarize the effects of drift in terms of F, the inbreeding coefficient, interpreted as the expected proportional decrease in heterozygosity at each locus. For haploids, the variance of the trait mean after a population bottleneck is var(delta(z)) = sigma(n)k=1 FkV(A(k)), where n is the number of loci contributing to the trait variance, V(A(1)) = V(A) is the additive genetic variance, and V(A(k)) is the kth-order additive epistatic variance. The expected additive genetic variance after the bottleneck, denoted (V*(A)), is closely related to var(delta(z)); (V*(A)) = (1 - F) sigma(n)k=1 kFk-1V(A(k)). Thus, epistasis inflates the expected additive variance above V(A)(1 - F), the expectation under additivity. For haploids (and diploids without dominance), the expected value of every variance component is inflated by the existence of higher order interactions (e.g., third-order epistasis inflates (V*(AA. This is not true in general with diploidy, because dominance alone can reduce (V*(A)) below V(A)(1 - F) (e.g., when dominant alleles are rare). Without dominance, diploidy produces simple expressions: var(delta(z)) = sigma(n)k=1 (2F)kV(A(k)) and (V(A)) = (1 - F) sigma(n)k=1 k(2F)k-1V(A(k)). With dominance (and even without epistasis), var(delta(z)) and (V*(A)) no longer depend solely on the variance components in the base population. For small F, the expected additive variance simplifies to (V*(A)) approximately equal to (1 - F)V(A) + 4FV(AA) + 2FV(D) + 2FC(AD), where C(AD) is a sum of two terms describing covariances between additive effects and dominance and additive X dominance interactions. Whether population bottlenecks lead to expected increases in additive variance depends primarily on the ratio of nonadditive to additive genetic variance in the base population, but dominance precludes simple predictions based solely on variance components. We illustrate these results using a model in which genotypic values are drawn at random, allowing extreme and erratic epistatic interactions. Although our analyses clarify the conditions under which drift is expected to increase V(A), we question the evolutionary importance of such increases.

Analysis of Variance↗

Identification of susceptibility loci for skin disease in a murine psoriasis model.

Psoriasis is a frequently occurring inflammatory skin disease characterized by thickened erythematous skin that is covered with silvery scales. It is a complex genetic disease with both heritable and environmental factors contributing to onset and severity. The CD18 hypomorphic PL/J mouse reveals reduced expression of the common chain of beta(2) integrins (CD11/CD18) and spontaneously develops a skin disease that closely resembles human psoriasis. In contrast, CD18 hypomorphic C57BL/6J mice do not demonstrate this phenotype. In this study, we have performed a genome-wide scan to identify loci involved in psoriasiform dermatitis under the condition of low CD18 expression. Backcross analysis of a segregating cross between susceptible CD18 hypomorphic PL/J mice and the resistant CD18 hypomorphic C57BL/6J strain was performed. A genome-wide linkage analysis of 94 phenotypically extreme mice of the backcross was undertaken. Thereafter, a complementary analysis of the regions of interest from the genome-wide screen was done using higher marker density and further mice. We found two loci on chromosome 10 that were significantly linked to the disease and interacted in an additive fashion in its development. In addition, a locus on chromosome 6 that promoted earlier onset of the disease was identified in the most severely affected mice. For the first time, we have identified genetic regions associated with psoriasis in a mouse model resembling human psoriasis. The identification of gene regions associated with psoriasis in this mouse model might contribute to the understanding of genetic causes of psoriasis in patients and pathological mechanisms involved in development of disease.

Animals↗

Genetic modifier loci affecting survival and cardiac function in murine dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the role for genetic factors in human heart failure is difficult because environmental factors cannot be standardized and genetic variation is great. One approach to identify genes that modify disease outcome is to use mouse models that show strong genetic variation of the disease phenotype. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we used transgenic mice that develop severe dilated cardiomyopathy due to the cardiac-specific overexpression of calsequestrin. Transgenic mice showed marked strain-specific variation of cardiac function and survival, independent of transgene expression. A reciprocal backcross strategy was employed using two inbred strains showing distinct differences in survival and cardiac function. To map the genes that modified the heart failure phenotype, progeny from the 2 reciprocal backcrosses were used in a genome-wide scan for linkage. We identified two loci significantly linked to survival with a maximum likelihood ratio statistic of 36.2 (LOD score approximately 7.8) on chromosome 2 and of 26.5 (LOD score approximately 5.7) on chromosome 3. The chromosome 3 locus was also significantly linked to cardiac function with a maximum likelihood ratio statistic of 42.9 (LOD score approximately 9.3). Because only a single strong modifier locus was found in each backcross, we applied a haplotype analysis to map crossovers and successfully narrowed the critical intervals for each locus. CONCLUSION: Using a sensitized mouse model, we identified major modifier loci that affect the genetically complex disease of heart failure. This approach should allow the rapid identification of candidate genes involved in disease susceptibility in human populations and new insights into the pathogenesis of heart failure.

Animals↗

Acute lung injury: functional genomics and genetic susceptibility.

Initiated by numerous factors, acute lung injury is marked by epithelial and endothelial cell perturbation and inflammatory cell influx that leads to surfactant disruption, pulmonary edema, and atelectasis. This syndrome has been associated with a myriad of mediators including cytokines, oxidants, and growth factors. To better understand gene-environmental interactions controlling this complex process, the sensitivity of inbred mouse strains was investigated following acute lung injury that was induced by fine nickel sulfate aerosol. Measuring survival time, protein and neutrophil concentrations in BAL fluid, lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, and histology, we found that these responses varied between inbred mouse strains and that susceptibility is heritable. To assess the progression of acute lung injury, the temporal expression of genes and expressed sequence tags was assessed by complementary DNA microarray analysis. Enhanced expression was noted in genes that were associated with oxidative stress, antiprotease function, and extracellular matrix repair. In contrast, expression levels of surfactant proteins (SPs) and Clara cell secretory protein (ie, transcripts that are constitutively expressed in the lung) decreased markedly. Genome-wide analysis was performed with offspring derived from a sensitive and resistant strain (C57BL/6xA F(1) backcrossed with susceptible A strain). Significant linkage was identified for a locus on chromosome 6 (proposed as Aliq4), a region that we had identified previously following ozone-induced acute lung injury. Two suggestive linkages were identified on chromosomes 1 and 12. Using haplotype analysis to estimate the combined effect of these regions (along with putative modifying loci on chromosomes 9 and 16), we found that five loci interact to account for the differences in survival time of the parental strains. Candidate genes contained in Aliq4 include SP-B, aquaporin 1, and transforming growth factor-alpha. Thus, the functional genomic approaches of large gene set expression (complementary DNA microarray) and genome-wide analyses continue to provide novel insights into the genetic susceptibility of lung injury.

Aerosols↗

eQTL Viewer: visualizing how sequence variation affects genome-wide transcription.

BACKGROUND: Expression Quantitative Trait Locus (eQTL) mapping methods have been used to identify the genetic basis of gene expression variations. To map eQTL, thousands of expression profiles are related with sequence polymorphisms across the genome through their correlated variations. These eQTL distribute in many chromosomal regions, each of which can include many genes. The large number of mapping results produced makes it difficult to consider simultaneously the relationships between multiple genomic regions and multiple expressional profiles. There is a need for informative bioinformatics tools to assist the visualization and interpretation of these mapping results. RESULTS: We have developed a web-based tool, called eQTL Viewer, to visualize the relationships between the expression trait genes and the candidate genes in the eQTL regions using Scalable Vector Graphics. The plot generated by eQTL Viewer has the capacity to display mapping results with high resolutions at a variety of scales, and superimpose biological annotations onto the mapping results dynamically. CONCLUSION: Our tool provides an efficient and intuitive way for biologists to explore transcriptional regulation patterns, and to generate hypotheses on the genetic basis of transcriptional regulations.

Algorithms↗

Resistance to barley scald (Rhynchosporium secalis) in the Ethiopian donor lines 'Steudelli' and 'Jet', analyzed by partial least squares regression and interval mapping.

The resistance of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to Rhynchosporium secalis (scald) has been investigated in two crosses between the susceptible cv. 'Ingrid' and two resistant Ethiopian landraces, 'Steudelli' and 'Jet'. Doubled haploids were inoculated in replicated tests using two isolates of R. secalis, '4004' and 'WRS1872'. Expression of resistance differed widely between replicated tests. AFLP, SSR and RFLP markers were used to develop chromosome maps. Results have been analysed using partial least squares regression (PLSR) and interval mapping. In PLSR the major covariance structures or 'latent variables' between X (markers) and Y (isolates, tests) are modelled as principal components and their optimal number determined by cross-validation. In 'Steudelli' two QTL were detected, one on each of chromosomes 3H and 7H, in 4 out of 5 tests, while in 'Jet' only one (different) allele at the 3H locus was found. The validated R(2) varied between 11.0% and 64.9% in the replicated tests with '4004'.With isolate 'WRS1872' the 7H locus and another 3H locus were detected. By interval mapping the QTL detected were less stable and generally gave lower R(2) values than PLSR. PLSR does not depend on maps, but interval mapping based on values predicted by PLSR had R(2) around 90%. It is suggested that PLSR may be a useful tool in QTL analysis.

Chromosome Mapping↗

The syntaxin binding protein 1 gene (Stxbp1) is a candidate for an ethanol preference drinking locus on mouse chromosome 2.

BACKGROUND: We previously mapped a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for ethanol preference drinking to mouse chromosome 2 (mapped with high confidence, LOD = 15.5, p = 3 x 10(-16)). The specific gene(s) in the QTL interval responsible for phenotypic variation in ethanol preference drinking has not been identified. METHODS: In the current study, we investigated the association of the syntaxin binding protein 1 gene (Stxbp1) with ethanol preference drinking and other ethanol traits using a panel of B6 x D2 (BXD) recombinant inbred (RI) strains derived from the C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) inbred mouse strains. Confirmation analyses for ethanol consumption and withdrawal were performed using a large B6D2 F2 cross, short-term selected lines derived from the B6 and D2 progenitor strains, and standard inbred strains. RESULTS: BXD RI strain analysis detected provisional associations between Stxbp1 molecular variants and ethanol consumption, as well as severity of acute ethanol withdrawal, ethanol-conditioned taste aversion, and ethanol-induced hypothermia. Confirmation analyses using three independent genetic models supported the involvement of Stxbp1 in ethanol preference drinking but not in ethanol withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Stxbp1 encodes a Sec1/Munc18-type protein essential for vesicular neurotransmitter release. The present study provides supporting evidence for the involvement of Stxbp1 in ethanol preference drinking.

Alcohol Drinking↗