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Mapping of putative quantitative trait loci controlling the total oligosaccharide and sucrose content of Glycine max seeds.

Although oligosaccharides and sucrose are very important nutritional components of soybean seeds, little information is available about inheritance of oligosaccharide and sucrose content. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that determine the oligosaccharide and sucrose content of soybean. The 117 F(2:10) recombinant inbred lines developed from a cross of "Keunolkong" and "Shinpaldalkong" were used. Narrow-sense heritability estimates, on a plot mean basis, of oligosaccharide and sucrose content were 79.07 and 74.84%, respectively. Four QTLs for oligosaccharide content were located on linkage groups (LG) C2, H, J, and L. Sucrose content was related with two QTLs located on LG H and J. Total oligosaccharide and sucrose content have two common QTLs on LG H and J.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Mapping quantitative trait loci for principal components of bone measurements and osteochondrosis scores in a wild boar x large white intercross.

Data on osteochondrosis and femur dimensions from 195 F2 pigs from a wild boar x Large White intercross were analysed with the aim of detecting quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for normal and disturbed bone formation. The information from numerous recorded traits was summarized by principal component analysis and analysed by least-squares interval mapping. An increase in the proportion of wild boar alleles across the genome increased length versus width of femur and reduced the prevalence of osteochondrosis. The presence of QTLs with an impact on femur dimensions was indicated on chromosomes 2, 4, 16 and 17 and on osteochondrosis on chromosomes 5, 13 and 15. A substantial effect of the chromosome 5 QTL calls for further studies within commercial populations to evaluate whether marker-assisted selection could be used to reduce the prevalence of osteochondrosis.

Alleles↗

A meta-analysis of quantitative trait loci associated with body weight and adiposity in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Cross-breeding experiments with different mouse strains have successfully been used by many groups to identify genetic loci that predispose for obesity. In order to provide a statistical assessment of these quantitative trait loci (QTL) as a basis for a systematic investigation of candidate genes, we have performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide linkage scans for body weight and body fat. DATA: From a total of 34 published mouse cross-breeding experiments, we compiled a list of 162 non-redundant QTL for body weight and 117 QTL for fat weight and body fat percentage. Collectively, these studies include data from 42 different parental mouse strains and >14,500 individual mice. METHODS: The results of the studies were analyzed using the truncated product method (TPM). RESULTS: The analysis revealed significant evidence (logarithm of odds (LOD) score >4.3) for linkage of body weight and adiposity to 49 different segments of the mouse genome. The most prominent regions with linkage for body weight and body fat (LOD scores 14.8-21.8) on chromosomes 1, 2, 7, 11, 15, and 17 contain a total of 58 QTL for body weight and body fat. At least 34 candidate genes and genetic loci, which have been implicated in regulation of body weight and body composition in rodents and/or humans, are found in these regions, including CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPA), sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP-1), peroxisome proliferator activator receptor delta (PPARD), and hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenase 1 (HSD11B1). Our results demonstrate the presence of numerous distinct consensus QTL regions with highly significant LOD scores that control body weight and body composition. An interactive physical map of the QTL is available online at (http://www.obesitygenes.org).

Adipose Tissue↗

Quantitative trait loci modulate ventricular size in the mouse brain.

Cerebral ventricular size in humans varies significantly. Abnormal enlargement of the ventricles has been associated with schizophrenia, and hydrocephalus can lead to serious cognitive and motor deficiencies in humans and animals. In this study, we mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) modulating cerebroventricular size in mice. We hypothesized that genes underlying hydrocephalus might also modulate normal variation in ventricular size. By using digital images of mouse brain sections and stereological techniques, we estimated the volume of the combined lateral and third ventricles, as well as the volume of the entire brain, in 228 AXB and BXA recombinant inbred mice and their parent strains (A/J and C57BL/6J). Ventricle size, expressed as percentage of brain volume, is a heritable trait (h(2) = 0.32). We detected a major QTL controlling variance in volume on chromosome (Chr) 8 near the markers D8Mit94 and D8Mit189. We also detected a strong epistatic interaction affecting ventricular volume between loci on Chr 4 (near D4Mit237 and D4Mit214) and on Chr 7 (D7Mit178 and D7Mit191). These three QTLs, labeled Vent8a, Vent4b, and Vent7c, are close to genes that have been previously implicated in hydrocephalus.

Animals↗

A whole genome scan for quantitative trait loci affecting milk protein percentage in Israeli-Holstein cattle, by means of selective milk DNA pooling in a daughter design, using an adjusted false discovery rate criterion.

Selective DNA pooling was employed in a daughter design to screen all bovine autosomes for quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting estimated breeding value for milk protein percentage (EBVP%). Milk pools prepared from high and low daughters of each of seven sires were genotyped for 138 dinucleotide microsatellites. Shadow-corrected estimates of sire allele frequencies were compared between high and low pools. An adjusted false discovery rate (FDR) method was employed to calculate experimentwise significance levels and empirical power. Significant associations with milk protein percentage were found for 61 of the markers (adjusted FDR = 0.10; estimated power, 0.68). The significant markers appear to be linked to 19--28 QTL. Mean allele substitution effects of the putative QTL averaged 0.016 (0.009--0.028) in units of the within-sire family standard deviation of EBVP% and summed to 0.460 EBVP%. Overall QTL heterozygosity was 0.40. The identified QTL appear to account for all of the variation in EBVP% in the population. Through use of selective DNA pooling, 4400 pool data points provided the statistical power of 600,000 individual data points.

Alleles↗

Quantitative trait loci affecting prion incubation time in mice.

Although the gene encoding prion protein (PrP) is the major determinant of susceptibility to prion disease, other genes also affect prion incubation time in mice and may be involved in prion replication. Scrapie incubation time was analyzed as a quantitative trait using crosses between SJL/J and CAST/Ei mice; these mouse strains encode identical PrP molecules but have different incubation periods. Our analysis revealed loci on Chromosomes 9 and 11 that affect prion susceptibility.

Animals↗

Detection of quantitative trait loci affecting milk production traits on 10 chromosomes in Holstein cattle.

Sons (n = 71 to 75) of each of six Holstein sires were genotyped at 69 microsatellite loci covering a total of 676 cM on chromosomes 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 23, and 26. Estimates of quantitative trait loci (QTL) effect and location were made using a least squares interval mapping approach based on daughter yield deviations of sons for 305 d milk, fat, and protein yield and fat and protein percentage. Thresholds for statistical significance of QTL effects were determined from interval mapping of 10,000 random permutations of the data across the bull sire families and within each sire family separately. Analyses combining data across sires indicated the presence of QTL affecting milk, fat, and protein yield on chromosomes 20 and 26 and a QTL affecting fat and protein percentage on chromosome 3. Analyses within each sire family separately indicated the presence of segregating QTL in at least one family on 7 of the 10 chromosomes. Statistically significant estimates of QTL effects on breeding value ranged from 438 to 658 kg of milk, from 17.4 to 24.9 kg of fat, 13.0 to 17.0 kg of protein, 0.04 to 0.17% fat, and 0.07 to 0.10% protein.

Animals↗

Mpdz is a quantitative trait gene for drug withdrawal seizures.

Physiological dependence and associated withdrawal episodes can constitute a powerful motivational force that perpetuates drug use and abuse. Using robust behavioral models of drug physiological dependence in mice, positional cloning, and sequence and expression analyses, we identified an addiction-relevant quantitative trait gene, Mpdz. Our findings provide a framework to define the protein interactions and neural circuit by which this gene's product (multiple PDZ domain protein) affects drug dependence, withdrawal and relapse.

Animals↗

Quantitative trait loci mapping of floral and leaf morphology traits in Arabidopsis thaliana: evidence for modular genetic architecture.

Summary Morphological variation within organisms is integrated and often modular in nature. That is to say, the size and shape of traits tend to vary in a coordinated and structured manner across sets of organs or parts of an organism. The genetic basis of this morphological integration is largely unknown. Here, we report on quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of leaf and floral organ size in Arabidopsis thaliana. We evaluate patterns of genetic correlations among traits and perform whole-genome scans using QTL mapping methods. We detected significant genetic variation for the size and shape of each floral and leaf trait in our study. Moreover, we found large positive genetic correlations among sets of either flower or leaf traits, but low and generally nonsignificant genetic correlations between flower and leaf traits. These results support the hypothesis of independent floral and vegetative modules. We consider co-localization of QTL for different traits as support for a pleiotropic basis of morphological integration and modularity. A total of eight QTL affecting flower and three QTL affecting leaf traits were identified. Most QTL affected either floral or leaf traits, providing a general explanation for high correlations within and low correlations between modules. Only two genomic locations affected both flower and leaf growth. These results are discussed in the context of the evolution of modules, pleiotropy, and the putative homologous relationship between leaves and flowers.

Arabidopsis↗

Light-response quantitative trait loci identified with composite interval and eXtreme array mapping in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Genetic analysis of natural variation in ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana can facilitate the discovery of new genes or of allelic variants of previously identified genes controlling physiological processes in plants. We mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) for light response in recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the Columbia and Kashmir accessions via two methods: composite interval mapping and eXtreme array mapping (XAM). After measuring seedling hypocotyl lengths in blue, red, far-red, and white light, and in darkness, eight QTL were identified by composite interval mapping and five localized near photoreceptor loci. Two QTL in blue light were associated with CRY1 and CRY2, two in red light were near PHYB and PHYC, and one in far-red light localized near PHYA. The RED2 and RED5 QTL were verified in segregating lines. XAM was tested for the identification of QTL in red light with pools of RILs selected for extreme phenotypes. Thousands of single feature polymorphisms detected by differential DNA hybridized to high-density oligo-nucleotide arrays were used to estimate allele frequency differences between the pools. The RED2 QTL was identified clearly; differences exceeded a threshold of significance determined by simulations. The sensitivities of XAM to population type and size and genetic models were also determined by simulation analysis.

Arabidopsis↗

Quantitative trait loci responsible for variation in sexually dimorphic traits in Drosophila melanogaster.

To understand the mechanisms of morphological evolution and species divergence, it is essential to elucidate the genetic basis of variation in natural populations. Sexually dimorphic characters, which evolve rapidly both within and among species, present attractive models for addressing these questions. In this report, we map quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for variation in sexually dimorphic traits (abdominal pigmentation and the number of ventral abdominal bristles and sex comb teeth) in a natural population of Drosophila melanogaster. To capture the pattern of genetic variation present in the wild, a panel of recombinant inbred lines was created from two heterozygous flies taken directly from nature. High-resolution mapping was made possible by cytological markers at the average density of one per 2 cM. We have used a new Bayesian algorithm that allows QTL mapping based on all markers simultaneously. With this approach, we were able to detect small-effect QTL that were not evident in single-marker analyses. Our results show that at least for some sexually dimorphic traits, a small number of QTL account for the majority of genetic variation. The three strongest QTL account for >60% of variation in the number of ventral abdominal bristles. Strikingly, a single QTL accounts for almost 60% of variation in female abdominal pigmentation. This QTL maps to the chromosomal region that Robertson et al. have found to affect female abdominal pigmentation in other populations of D. melanogaster. Using quantitative complementation tests, we demonstrate that this QTL is allelic to the bric a brac gene, whose expression has previously been shown to correlate with interspecific differences in pigmentation. Multiple bab alleles that confer distinct phenotypes appear to segregate in natural populations at appreciable frequencies, suggesting that intraspecific and interspecific variation in abdominal pigmentation may share a similar genetic basis.

Animals↗

Complexities in the genetic dissection of quantitative trait loci.

The analysis of complex traits, including those involved in many common diseases, has encountered significant difficulties, and, despite major efforts during the past decade, has had little success. Current advances in genomics, however, promise to change this. Recently, Steinmetz et al. used a new technique to produce the first complete quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of a complex trait from phenotype to gene to be published entirely in a single report. This marks a significant advance over previous QTL analyses, which took several years. The work exemplifies some of the complexities of QTL mapping and demonstrates a novel method to resolve the underlying genetic architecture of QTLs in yeast. Here we discuss this work in the general context of genetic dissection of complex traits and QTLs.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Characterization of an Aedes aegypti bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library and chromosomal assignment of BAC clones for physical mapping quantitative trait loci that influence Plasmodium susceptibility.

Previous studies have confirmed a genetic basis for susceptibility of mosquitoes to Plasmodium parasites. Here we describe our efforts to characterize a bacterial artificial chromosome genomic library for the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and to identify BAC clones containing genetic markers that define quantitative trait loci (QTL) for Plasmodium gallinaceum susceptibility. This library (NDL) was prepared from the Ae. aegypti Liverpool strain and consists of 50 304 clones arrayed in 384-well microplates. We used PCR analysis with oligonucleotide primer pairs specific to 106 genetic markers (as sequence-tagged sites or STS) to screen the NDL library. Each STS identified between one and thirteen independent clones with an average of 3.3 clones. The average insert size was 122 kb and therefore the NDL library provides approximately 7.87-fold genome coverage. The availability of the NDL library should greatly facilitate physical mapping efforts, including positional cloning of QTL for traits of interest such as Plasmodium susceptibility and for whole genome sequence determination and assembly.

Aedes↗

Two-stage selection strategies utilizing marker-quantitative trait locus information and individual performance.

Short- and long-term response to marker-assisted selection in two stages was studied using a stochastic simulation of a closed nucleus herd for beef production. First-stage selection was carried out within families based on information at a fully additive quantitative trait locus (QTL). Second-stage selection strategies were based on 1) individual phenotype, 2) individual phenotype precorrected for QTL, 3) a selection index incorporating phenotype and QTL information, 4) a standard animal model BLUP, and 5) a selection index incorporating marker-QTL information and standard animal model BLUP on records precorrected for QTL. All strategies were efficient in moving the favorable allele at the QTL to fixation, but they differed in the time to reach fixation. Mass selection was less efficient in changing allele frequencies than BLUP. Discounted accumulated response, accounting for the time response was realized and inflation rate, was proposed to rank strategies and to elude the conflict between short- and long-term response in marker-assisted selection. Discounted accumulated response at a time horizon of 20 yr for alternative two-stage selection strategies was compared with conventional BLUP carried out in second stage only. Within-family selection increased discounted accumulated response by more than 11% using Strategy 4 and by up to 12% using Strategy 5 at an inflation rate of 2%. The percentage increase in response was less for highly heritable traits and when the proportion of additive variance explained by the QTL was small. Strategy 5 gave larger response with reduced inbreeding. This strategy also resulted in the lowest cost-benefit ratio, requiring less genotyping per unit of response. Cost-benefit ratio for discounted genotyping and for discounted in vitro production of embryos for traits with low heritability was two to four times that for traits with high heritability. The use of first-stage selection slightly increased the level of inbreeding for both mass (Strategy 1) and BLUP selection (Strategies 4 and 5).

Animals↗

Mapping quantitative trait loci using naturally occurring genetic variance among commercial inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.).

Many commercial inbred lines are available in crops. A large amount of genetic variation is preserved among these lines. The genealogical history of the inbred lines is usually well documented. However, quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for the genetic variances among the lines are largely unexplored due to lack of statistical methods. In this study, we show that the pedigree information of the lines along with the trait values and marker information can be used to map QTL without the need of further crossing experiments. We develop a Monte Carlo method to estimate locus-specific identity-by-descent (IBD) matrices. These IBD matrices are further incorporated into a mixed-model equation for variance component analysis. QTL variance is estimated and tested at every putative position of the genome. The actual QTL are detected by scanning the entire genome. Applying this new method to a well-documented pedigree of maize (Zea mays L.) that consists of 404 inbred lines, we mapped eight QTL for the maize male flowering trait, growing degree day heat units to pollen shedding (GDUSHD). These detected QTL contributed >80% of the variance observed among the inbred lines. The QTL were then used to evaluate all the inbred lines using the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) technique. Superior lines were selected according to the estimated QTL allelic values, a technique called marker-assisted selection (MAS). The MAS procedure implemented via BLUP may be routinely used by breeders to select superior lines and line combinations for development of new cultivars.

Alleles↗

Multiple quantitative trait loci modify the heart failure phenotype in murine cardiomyopathy.

The variability in outcome of heart failure patients depends on a number of factors including differences in their genetic background. To identify novel genes that modify the human heart failure phenotype, we used a strategy of quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping in an experimental mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy induced by cardiac-specific overexpression of calsequestrin and characterized by a strong strain-specific variability in the phenotype. We identified two novel QTLs, Hrtfm3 (heart failure modifier 3) on chromosome (Chr) 4 and Hrtfm4 on Chr 18, significantly linked to survival with likelihood ratio statistics (LRS) of 19.9 and 23.6 respectively (corresponding to LOD scores of 4.3 and 5.1). Two other QTLs, Hrtfm5 on Chr 2 and Hrtfm6 on Chr 13, were significantly linked to cardiac function as measured by echocardiographic fractional shortening (LRS 22.1 and 15.2 respectively, LOD score 4.8 and 3.3) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LRS 23.5 and 18.8, LOD score 5.1 and 4.1). Importantly, Hrtfm5 was not significantly linked to survival. A significant interaction was found between Hrtfm4 and two other QTLs (Hrtfm6 and a QTL near to the marker D19Mit88) for fractional shortening with a LRS of 34.6 and 26.5 respectively (LOD score 7.5 and 5.8). These data show that the effect of genetic background on murine heart failure is complex and result from the action of several loci that differentially modify the cardiac phenotype. The identification of these novel modifier genes will serve as strong candidates for the discovery of modifiers in human heart failure.

Animals↗

Bilaterally asymmetric effects of quantitative trait loci (QTLs): QTLs that affect laxity in the right versus left coxofemoral (hip) joints of the dog (Canis familiaris).

In dogs hip joint laxity that can lead to degenerative joint disease (DJD) is frequent and heritable, providing a genetic model for some aspects of the human disease. We have used Portuguese water dogs (PWDs) to identify Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that regulate laxity in the hip joint. A population of 286 PWDs, each characterized by ca. 500 molecular genetic markers, was analyzed for subluxation of the hip joint as measured by the Norberg angle, a quantitative radiographic measure of laxity. A significant directed asymmetry was observed, such that greater laxity was observed in the left than the right hip. This asymmetry was not heritable. However, the average Norberg angle was highly heritable as were the Norberg angles of either the right or left hips. After correction for pedigree effects, two QTLs were identified using the metrics of the left and right hips as separate data sets. Both are on canine chromosome 1 (CFA1), separated by about 95 Mb. One QTL, associated with the SSR marker FH2524 was significant for the left, but not the right hip. The other, associated with FH2598, was significant for the right but not the left hip. For both QTLs, some extreme phenotypes were best explained by specific interactions between haplotypes.

Algorithms↗

Interaction between blood pressure quantitative trait loci in rats in which trait variation at chromosome 1 is conditional upon a specific allele at chromosome 10.

We have used inbred and congenic rat strains in F(2) segregation studies to discover epistasis in a polygenic model of hypertension. Previously, we have found evidence that the presence of a blood pressure quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 1 is conditional upon the allele status of chromosome 10. To prove the existence of an epistatic interaction we have analyzed congenic strains for chromosome 1 and 10 carrying high blood pressure QTL alleles from the spontaneously hypertensive rat on a normotensive background of the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat. Additionally, a double congenic strain was developed with both chromosome 1 and 10 high blood pressure QTL alleles on the WKY background. Analysis of variance for blood pressure phenotypes as determined by radiotelemetry showed a significant effect for chromosome 10 but not chromosome 1 QTL alleles and demonstrated a significant interaction between the two loci (P<0.05). The interaction accounted for 5 mmHg of blood pressure. Thus, the identification of epistasis is critical to the understanding of the quantitative nature of blood pressure genetics.

Alleles↗