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Genomewide linkage analysis for internal carotid artery intimal medial thickness: evidence for linkage to chromosome 12.

Carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) is a heritable quantitative measure of atherosclerosis. A genomewide linkage analysis was conducted to localize a quantitative-trait locus (QTL) influencing carotid IMT. Carotid IMT was measured in 596 men and 629 women from 311 extended families (1,242 sib pairs) in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort. B-mode carotid ultrasonography was used to define mean IMT of the carotid artery segments. Multipoint variance-component linkage analysis was performed. Evidence for significant linkage to internal carotid artery (ICA) IMT (two-point log odds [LOD] score 4.1, multipoint LOD score 3.4) was found 161 cM from the tip of the short arm of chromosome 12; these results were confirmed using the GENEHUNTER package (multipoint LOD score 4.3). No LOD scores >2.0 were observed for common carotid artery (CCA) IMT. Association analysis of a single-nucleotide-polymorphism variant of SCARB1 (minor allele frequency 0.13), a gene in close proximity to the region of peak linkage, revealed a protective association of the missense variant allele in exon 1 of SCARB1, with decreased ICA IMT compared with subjects homozygous for the common allele. Although the exon 1 variant contributed 2% to overall variation in ICA IMT, there was no significant change in the peak LOD score after adjustment in the linkage analyses. These data provide substantial evidence for a QTL on chromosome 12 influencing ICA IMT and for association of a rare variant of SCARB1, or a nearby locus, with ICA IMT. Because this rare SCARB1 variant does not account for our observed linkage, further investigations are warranted to identify additional candidate-gene variants on chromosome 12 predisposing to atherosclerosis phenotypes and clinical vascular disease.

Aged↗

Identification of seven loci for static glucokinesis and dynamic glucokinesis in mice.

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is characterized by a breakdown of glucose homeostasis and is responsible for serious complications in various organs and vessels. Most of the genetic factors of NIDDM are yet unknown. Here, we identified two types of genetic factors that regulate homeostasis of blood glucose by measuring various pharmacokinetic parameters, some of which are used in the non-compartment analysis of drug metabolism in 340 F(2) progeny from the NIDDM model KK-A(y)/Ta Jcl mouse strain, and in non-diabetic PWK strain. We define "static glucokinesis" as the regulation of homeostasis that occurs during glucose deprivation, and "dynamic glucokinesis" as that during glucose stress; for instance, glucose tolerance test. Quantitative trait locus analysis revealed eight loci involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis on chromosomes 7 ( Nidd1k), 2 ( Nidd2k), 1 ( Nidd3k, Nidd4k, and Nidd5k), 11 ( Nidd6k), 5 ( Nidd7k) (named Nidd1k through Nidd7k), and 4 ( Bwt1k). Nidd1k, Nidd4k, and Nidd7k were novel loci associated with NIDDM in mice. Nidd1k, Nidd2k, Nidd3k, and Nidd4k had linkage to factors characteristic of both static and dynamic glucokinesis. Nidd5k and Nidd6k showed linkage specific to markers of dynamic glucokinesis, and Nidd7k had linkage specific to static glucokinesis. Bwt1k was linked to obesity. Thus, the genetic factors for static glucokinesis and those for dynamic glucokinesis partially overlapped.

Animals↗

Multiple blood pressure QTL on rat Chromosome 2 defined by congenic Dahl rats.

Linkage analysis previously demonstrated a blood pressure quantitative trait locus (QTL) on rat Chromosome 2 (Chr 2) in crosses utilizing Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rats. The present work dissects this QTL by using congenic strains in which segments of Chr 2 from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) are placed on the S genetic background. Two distinct QTLs were found where one QTL was anticipated. These each accounted for a blood pressure of 15-20 mm Hg in rats fed 2% NaCl diet for 24 days. One QTL was in the <9-cM interval between D2Rat35 and D2Wox18 (Fgg), and the other was in the <7-cM interval between D2Wox18 (Fgg) and D2Mgh10. A third tentative QTL was suggested, but not clearly established, in the <3-cM interval between D2Mgh10 and D2Rat259.

Animals↗

Molecular genetic studies of gene identification for osteoporosis: a 2004 update.

This review summarizes comprehensively the most important and representative molecular genetics studies of gene identification for osteoporosis published up to the end of December 2004. It is intended to constitute a sequential update of our previously published review covering the available data up to the end of 2002. Evidence from candidate gene association studies and genome-wide linkage studies in humans, as well as quantitative trait locus mapping animal models are reviewed separately. Studies of transgenic and knockout mice models relevant to osteoporosis are summarized. An important extension of this update is incorporation of functional genomic studies (including DNA microarrays and proteomics) on osteogenesis and osteoporosis, in light of the rapid advances and the promising prospects of the field. Comments are made on the most notable findings and representative studies for their potential influence and implications on our present understanding of genetics of osteoporosis. The format adopted by this review should be ideal for accommodating future new advances and studies.

Animals↗

Provisional mapping of quantitative trait loci for chronic ethanol withdrawal severity in BXD recombinant inbred mice.

Male mice from C57BL/6J (B6), DBA/2J (D2) and their 25 recombinant inbred (RI) strains were exposed to ethanol (EtOH) vapor (3.0-9.0 mg EtOH/liter of air) for 72 hr. Mice were selected such that each strain averaged 1.34 to 1.59 mg of EtOH/ml of blood on withdrawal. Control groups and EtOH-exposed groups were tested hourly for handling-induced convulsions (HIC) for 10 hr and at hr 24 and 25. Strain withdrawal severity was indexed as the area under the 25-hr HIC curve for the EtOH group minus that strain's equivalent value for the control group. Genome-wide quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses correlating strain means with allelic status at > 1500 markers identified 10 chromosomal regions at P < .01. These provisionally identified QTLs were on chromosomes 1 (2 QTLs), 3, 9 (2 QTLs), 10, 12, 13, 15 and 18. Multiple regression analysis using the four most influential QTLs revealed that these loci controlled 86% of the genetic variance. A QTL mapped to distal chromosome 1 (P < .001) is in the same region as one previously definitively mapped for acute alcohol withdrawal, as well as one mapped for acute pentobarbital withdrawal. Several of the QTLs map near potential candidate genes. These provisional linkages will now be confirmed or rejected using additional genetically segregating populations.

Animals↗

Mapping QTLs for traits measured as percentages.

Many quantitative traits are measured as percentages. As a result, the assumption of a normal distribution for the residual errors of such percentage data is often violated. However, most quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping procedures assume normality of the residuals. Therefore, proper data transformation is often recommended before statistical analysis is conducted. We propose the probit transformation to convert percentage data into variables with a normal distribution. The advantage of the probit transformation is that it can handle measurement errors with heterogeneous variance and correlation structure in a statistically sound manner. We compared the results of this data transformation with other transformations and found that this method can substantially increase the statistical power of QTL detection. We develop the QTL mapping procedure based on the maximum likelihood methodology implemented via the expectation-maximization algorithm. The efficacy of the new method is demonstrated using Monte Carlo simulation.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Genetic loci that control vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis is regulated by the balance between angiogenic stimulators and inhibitors. Numerous reports have demonstrated that tumors induce aggressive angiogenesis by up-regulating the production of angiogenesis stimulating growth factors to overcome the baseline levels of endogenous inhibitors. However, the possibility of large differences in the host's responsiveness to angiogenic factors has been largely overlooked. Using the corneal micropocket neovascularization assay, we have observed >10-fold differences in responsiveness to either basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) among various mouse strains. The inheritance pattern observed for these traits supported a QTL (quantitative trait locus) approach to mapping the genes responsible for the differences in angiogenic responsiveness. To overcome variability in the assay, we used recombinant inbred lines to map this phenotype. In the BXD series of recombinant inbred mouse strains, we have mapped the regions responsible for regulating VEGF-induced angiogenesis using both composite interval mapping and multiple interval mapping. Both approaches link VEGF responsiveness to regions on chromosomes 2 (near D2Mit6) and 10 (near D10Mit20). Candidate angiogenesis-related genes in these regions include those for collagen XVIII/endostatin, matrix metalloproteinase 11, integrin beta2, prostaglandin D2 synthase, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.

Animals↗

Atherosclerosis susceptibility loci identified from a strain intercross of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice via a high-density genome scan.

OBJECTIVE: Apolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient mice are hypercholesterolemic and develop atherosclerosis on low-fat chow diets; however, the genetic background strain has a large effect on atherosclerosis susceptibility. This study aimed to determine the genetic regions associated with strain effects on lesion area. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a strain intercross between atherosclerosis sensitive DBA/2 and atherosclerosis resistant AKR apoE-deficient mice. Aortic root lesion area, total cholesterol, body weights, and complete blood counts were ascertained for 114 male and 95 female F2 progeny. A high-density genome scan was performed using a mouse single nucleotide polymorphism chip yielding 1967 informative polymorphic markers. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) statistical analyses were performed. Novel loci associated with lesion or log lesion area were identified for the female and male F2 cohorts. The atherosclerosis QTLs in female mice reside on chromosomes 15, 5, 3, and 13, and in male mice on chromosomes 17, 18, and 2. QTL were also identified for body weight, total cholesterol, and blood count parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Loci were identified for atherosclerosis susceptibility in a strain intercross study. The identity of the responsible genes at these loci remains to be determined.

Animals↗

Resistance to xenobiotic-induced autoimmunity maps to chromosome 1.

Although evidence indicates that environmental factors play a major role in precipitating systemic autoimmunity in genetically susceptible individuals, little is known about the mechanisms involved. Certain heavy metals, such as mercury, are potent environmental immunostimulants that produce a number of immunopathologic sequelae, including lymphoproliferation, hypergammaglobulinemia, and overt systemic autoimmunity. Predisposition to such metal-induced immunopathology has been shown to be influenced by both MHC and non-MHC genes, as well as susceptibility to spontaneous lupus, in mice and other experimental animals. Among the various mouse strains examined to date, the DBA/2 appears to uniquely lack susceptibility to mercury-induced autoimmunity (HgIA), despite expressing a susceptible H-2 haplotype (H-2d). To define the genetic basis for this trait, two genome-wide scans were conducted using F2 intercrosses of the DBA/2 strain with either the SJL or NZB strains, both of which are highly susceptible to HgIA. A single major quantitative trait locus on chromosome 1, designated Hmr1, was shown to be common to both crosses and encompassed a region containing several lupus susceptibility loci. Hmr1 was linked to glomerular immune complex deposits and not autoantibody production, suggesting that DBA/2 resistance to HgIA may primarily involve the later stages of disease pathogenesis. Identification and characterization of susceptibility/resistance genes and mechanisms relevant to the immunopathogenesis of mercury-induced autoimmunity should provide important insights into the pathogenesis of autoimmunity and may reveal novel targets for intervention.

Animals↗

A genomewide linkage screen for relative hand skill in sibling pairs.

Genomewide quantitative-trait locus (QTL) linkage analysis was performed using a continuous measure of relative hand skill (PegQ) in a sample of 195 reading-disabled sibling pairs from the United Kingdom. This was the first genomewide screen for any measure related to handedness. The mean PegQ in the sample was equivalent to that of normative data, and PegQ was not correlated with tests of reading ability (correlations between minus sign0.13 and 0.05). Relative hand skill could therefore be considered normal within the sample. A QTL on chromosome 2p11.2-12 yielded strong evidence for linkage to PegQ (empirical P=.00007), and another suggestive QTL on 17p11-q23 was also identified (empirical P=.002). The 2p11.2-12 locus was further analyzed in an independent sample of 143 reading-disabled sibling pairs, and this analysis yielded an empirical P=.13. Relative hand skill therefore is probably a complex multifactorial phenotype with a heterogeneous background, but nevertheless is amenable to QTL-based gene-mapping approaches.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Correct estimation of preferential chromosome pairing in autotetraploids.

In recent work, a statistical model was proposed for the purpose of estimating parameters associated with quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and preferential pairing within a polyploidy framework. The statistical model contained several parameters that, when estimated from experimental data, supplied information about QTL, including a preferential pairing factor. Among the results reported were estimates of preferential pairing, many of which indicated high levels of preferential pairing (p = 0.60) that were inconsistent with biological expectations. By using the biological inconsistencies as our motivation, we present a reformulated statistical method for estimating preferential pairing, and use this method to reanalyze the same autotetraploid alfalfa data and to conduct a simulation study. Our results directly contradict the current findings of significant preferential pairing and affirm the traditional view of random chromosome segregation in alfalfa.

Chromosome Pairing↗

The bovine QTL viewer: a web accessible database of bovine Quantitative Trait Loci.

BACKGROUND: Many important agricultural traits such as weight gain, milk fat content and intramuscular fat (marbling) in cattle are quantitative traits. Most of the information on these traits has not previously been integrated into a genomic context. Without such integration application of these data to agricultural enterprises will remain slow and inefficient. Our goal was to populate a genomic database with data mined from the bovine quantitative trait literature and to make these data available in a genomic context to researchers via a user friendly query interface. DESCRIPTION: The QTL (Quantitative Trait Locus) data and related information for bovine QTL are gathered from published work and from existing databases. An integrated database schema was designed and the database (MySQL) populated with the gathered data. The bovine QTL Viewer was developed for the integration of QTL data available for cattle. The tool consists of an integrated database of bovine QTL and the QTL viewer to display QTL and their chromosomal position. CONCLUSION: We present a web accessible, integrated database of bovine (dairy and beef cattle) QTL for use by animal geneticists. The viewer and database are of general applicability to any livestock species for which there are public QTL data. The viewer can be accessed at http://bovineqtl.tamu.edu.

Animals↗

Altered self-erythrocyte recognition and destruction in an inbred line of tilapia (Oreochromis aureus).

Carboxyfluorescein diacetate (cFDA)-stained autologous and syngeneic tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) erythrocytes are recognized by effector peripheral blood leukocytes and lysed after a short culture period of 4 h. The hemolysis level was evaluated by measuring the fluorescence of the released cFDA. The degree of lysis of stained target erythrocytes of 60 individuals revealed a trimodal distribution statistically stratified into three groups of low (LR), intermediate (IR), and high (HR) responders. Depletion of the majority of phagocytes from leukocytes lowered the lysis level of HR to that of LR. A highly significant increase of LR cytotoxicity was obtained after the addition of conditioned medium from HR but only in the presence of phagocytes. Genetic analysis of offspring from four crosses (IR x HR, IR x LR, HR x LR, and LR x LR) revealed a quantitative trait locus (QTL) segregating for the level of response linked to markers UNH207 and UNH231 on linkage group 6 of tilapia. Based on segregation analysis of 58 gynogenetic BIU-1 offspring, the distances from the centromere were estimated as 21.5, 11.5, and 9.0 cM for UNH207, UNH231, and the QTL, respectively. It is suggested that 1) self-target recognition and destruction requires both cFDA-altered self-erythrocyte membrane and membrane structures normally present in autologous, syngeneic, and xenogeneic targets; 2) natural cytotoxic cells and/or macrophages are involved in erythrocyte lysis; and 3) the lysis level is codominantly inherited by a QTL segregating on tilapia linkage group 6.

Animals↗

[A study of susceptibility genes mapping for aberrant B1 cell proliferation in New Zealand mice].

OBJECTIVE: To map the susceptibility genes for aberrant B1 cell proliferation in New Zealand mice. METHODS: New Zealand Black (NZB) x New Zealand White (NZW) F1 x NZW backcross mice model was set up and polymorphic microsatellite markers and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was used. RESULTS: Susceptibility genes of aberrant B1 cell proliferation was linked to the microsatellite markers on chromosome 1, 4, 19 in NZB and on chromosome 17 in NZW such as D1Mit115, D4Mit58, D19Mit73 and D17Mit61 nearby which there existed Fcgr2b, c-jun, Fas and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha, H-2 genes according to the QTL analysis. CONCLUSION: B1 cell proliferation in New Zealand mice was controlled by multiple genes and the candidate susceptibility genes were Fcgr2b, c-jun, Fas derived from NZB strain and TNF alpha, H-2 genes derived from NZW strain.

Animals↗

QTL analysis of self-selected macronutrient diet intake: fat, carbohydrate, and total kilocalories.

The present study investigated the inheritance of dietary fat, carbohydrate, and kilocalorie intake traits in an F(2) population derived from an intercross between C57BL/6J (fat-preferring) and CAST/EiJ (carbohydrate-preferring) mice. Mice were phenotyped for self-selected food intake in a paradigm which provided for 10 days a choice between two macronutrient diets containing 78/22% of energy as a composite of either fat/protein or carbohydrate/protein. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis identified six significant loci for macronutrient intake: three for fat intake on chromosomes (Chrs) 8 (Mnif1), 18 (Mnif2), and X (Mnif3), and three for carbohydrate intake on Chrs 17 (Mnic1), 6 (Mnic2), and X (Mnic3). An absence of interactions among these QTL suggests the existence of separate mechanisms controlling the intake of fat and carbohydrate. Two significant QTL for cumulative kilocalorie intake, adjusted for baseline body weight, were found on Chrs 17 (Kcal1) and 18 (Kcal2). Without body weight adjustment, another significant kcal locus appeared on distal Chr 2 (Kcal3). These macronutrient and kilocalorie QTL, with the exception of loci on Chrs 8 and X, encompassed chromosomal regions influencing body weight gain and adiposity in this F2 population. These results provide new insight into the genetic basis of naturally occurring variation in nutrient intake phenotypes.

Animals↗

Genetic loci controlling body fat, lipoprotein metabolism, and insulin levels in a multifactorial mouse model.

We analyzed the inheritance of body fat, leptin levels, plasma lipoprotein levels, insulin levels, and related traits in an intercross between inbred mouse strains CAST/Ei and C57BL/6J. CAST/Ei mice are unusually lean, with only approximately 8% of body weight as fat, whereas C57BL/6J mice have approximately 18% body fat. Quantitative trait locus analysis using > 200 F2 mice revealed highly significant loci (lod scores > 4.3) on chromosomes 2 (three separate loci) and 9 that contribute to mouse fat-pad mass for mice on a high-fat diet. Some loci also influenced plasma lipoprotein levels and insulin levels either on chow or high-fat diets. Two loci for body fat and lipoprotein levels (on central and distal chromosome 2) coincided with a locus having strong effects on hepatic lipase activity, an activity associated with visceral obesity and lipoprotein levels in humans. A locus contributing to plasma leptin levels (lod score 5.3) but not obesity was identified on chromosome 4, near the leptin receptor gene. These data identify candidate regions and candidate genes for studies of human obesity and diabetes, and suggest obesity is highly complex in terms of the number of genetic factors involved. Finally, they support the existence of specific genetic interactions between body fat, insulin metabolism, and lipoprotein metabolism.

Adipose Tissue↗

Mixed model analysis of quantitative trait loci.

We develop a mixed model approach of quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for a hybrid population derived from the crosses of two or more distinguished outbred populations. Under the mixed model, we treat the mean allelic value of each source population as the fixed effect and the allelic deviations from the mean as random effects so that we can partition the total genetic variance into between- and within-population variances. Statistical inference of the QTL parameters is obtained by using the Bayesian method implemented by Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). This unified QTL mapping algorithm treats the fixed and random model approaches as special cases of the general mixed model methodology. Utility and flexibility of the method are demonstrated by using a set of simulated data.

Algorithms↗

Combinations of nondiabetic parental genomes elicit impaired glucose tolerance in mouse SMXA recombinant inbred strains.

Type 2 diabetes in humans is not a single gene disorder but a multifactorial disease caused by the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors. Recombinant inbred (RI) strains are a powerful tool for analyzing not only single genetic traits but also multifactorial genetic traits. By using the SMXA RI mice, we genetically dissected diabetes-related traits (BMI, nonfasting blood glucose concentration, and blood glucose concentration during intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests). For minimizing the variation of glucose tolerance in each strain, all mice were fed the high-carbohydrate diet and subjected to phenotypic and genetic analyses. The parental strains, SM/J and A/J, were nondiabetic, and the differences of the mean values of diabetes-related traits were small. In contrast, an impaired glucose tolerance was observed in (SM x A)F1 mice, and marked differences in diabetes-related traits were observed in 19 SMXA RI strains. In particular, several SMXA RI strains showed markedly impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis revealed a locus on chromosome (Chr) 10 contributing significant effect on nonfasting blood glucose concentration, as well as six diabetes-related loci on four chromosomes with suggestive evidence of linkage with diabetes-related phenotypes. The A/J-derived QTLs on Chr 2 and 18 and an SM/J-derived QTL on Chr 10 contributed to the impairment of glucose tolerance and/or the increase of blood glucose concentration. The present study indicates that QTLs derived from parental SM/J and A/J genomes, both of which are nondiabetic, interact in the RI genomes, leading to the development of hyperglycemia and diabetic phenotypes. Genetic dissection of this kind of diabetogenesis will increase our understanding of the complex gene-gene interaction and mode of inheritance in human type 2 diabetes.

Animals↗