Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “quantitative trait”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,135 records · Page 63Linked to original sources

Quantitative-trait locus for specific language and reading deficits on chromosome 6p.

Reading disability (RD), or dyslexia, is a complex cognitive disorder manifested by difficulties in learning to read, in otherwise normal individuals. Individuals with RD manifest deficits in several reading and language skills. Previous research has suggested the existence of a quantitative-trait locus (QTL) for RD on the short arm of chromosome 6. In the present study, RD subjects' performance in several measures of word recognition and component skills of orthographic coding, phonological decoding, and phoneme awareness were individually subjected to QTL analysis, with a new sample of 126 sib pairs, by means of a multipoint mapping method and eight informative DNA markers on chromosome 6 (D6S461, D6S276, D6S105, D6S306, D6S258, D6S439, D6S291, and D6S1019). The results indicate significant linkage across a distance of at least 5 cM for deficits in orthographic (LOD = 3.10) and phonological (LOD = 2.42) skills, confirming previous findings.

Adult↗

Confirmation and genetic dissection of a major quantitative trait locus for alcohol preference drinking.

OBJECTIVE: In previous work, we created congenic strains that carry the DBA/2IBG (D2) region for alcohol preference on chromosome 2, on an otherwise C57BL/6IBG (B6) background. Here, we report construction and testing of interval-specific congenic recombinant strains (ISCRSs) for the purpose of narrowing the quantitative trait loci (QTL) interval. METHODS: ISCRSs were derived by identifying mice that carry recombination events in the D2 interval, during the backcrossing for congenics. Recombinant mice were backcrossed to B6, and progeny that carry the reduced chromosome 2 region were tested for its effect on the alcohol preference phenotype. RESULTS: We developed multiple ISCR strains, which spanned the QTL interval. Three of these showed the D2 phenotype of reduced alcohol consumption. The overlap of two of these strains reduced the QTL interval from 66.8 to 3.5 Mb. A third positive ISCRS suggests the possibility of a second, linked QTL. CONCLUSIONS: Use of ISCRSs can narrow a QTL region to a few Mb. This reduced interval size will facilitate identification of candidate genes, through bioinformatics, gene expression, and DNA sequencing strategies. Potential difficulties, including reduced power as a result of variable phenotypes or small effect size, are discussed.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Use of the regressive models in linkage analysis of quantitative traits.

Use of the regressive models to account for residual familial correlations in linkage analysis of complex quantitative traits can increase the power to detect linkage. This is especially observed when the effect of the gene to be mapped is small or when the residual correlations are substantial.

Chromosome Mapping↗

A quantitative trait locus of Agaricus bisporus resistance to Pseudomonas tolaasii is closely linked to natural cap color.

A quantitative trait locus (QTL) of resistance to Pseudomonas tolaasii was detected in Agaricus bisporus using a cross between a wild strain from the Sonoran desert and a cultivated strain. The resistance QTL was strongly linked with the brown color allele of PPC1. This QTL explained about 30% of the variation observed for living bacteria-induced symptoms. The use of bacterial toxin did not reproduce living bacteria symptoms but revealed the same QTL. The latter QTL was not affected by environmental variation. No relation was found between the resistance QTL and the tyrosinase gene, which is involved in the browning process.

Agaricus↗

Using multivariate genetic modeling to detect pleiotropic quantitative trait loci.

Large numbers of sibling pairs or other relatives are needed to detect linkage between a quantitative trait locus (QTL) and a marker, especially if the variance of the QTL is low relative to the total phenotypic variance of the trait. One strategy to increase the power to detect linkage is to reduce the environmental variance in the trait under analysis. This approach was explored by carrying out a series of simulation studies in which multivariate observations were used to estimate individual genotypic values at a QTL, that pleiotropically affected more than one trait. Simulations for different QTL allele frequencies with a completely informative marker showed that the power to detect the QTL increased substantially when estimates of individual genotypic values at the QTL were used in the linkage analysis instead of phenotypic observations. An advantage of this approach is that, rather than employing phenotypic selection, individuals with extreme genotypes may selected when ascertaining a sample of extreme families.

Adult↗

Rates of change in quantitative traits from fixation of new mutations.

Expressions are derived for the response to directional selection for a quantitative trait that comes from fixation of new mutations in a finite population. For additive genes with a distribution of mutant gene effects symmetric about zero, the response from fixing mutations occurring in a single generation is 2 Ni sigma 2M/sigma, in which N is the effective population size, i is the selection intensity, sigma is the phenotypic standard deviation, and sigma 2M is the increment in variance in the generation immediately after occurrence of the mutations. This response is 2N times that immediately after occurrence of the mutations. With continuous mutation each generation, the asymptotic rate of response is also 2Ni sigma 2M/sigma and the asymptotic variance is independent of i. For completely dominant mutations with symmetric effects, the rates are Ni sigma 2M/sigma; and for recessive mutations the rates are proportional to (Ni)1/2. If the distribution of mutant gene effects, a, is not symmetric about zero, responses depend on the mean square of effects of mutations with positive effect, rather than on the variance of their effects. Rates of change in fitness and of traits correlated with fitness are also analyzed. It is argued that new mutations have contributed substantially to long-term responses in many laboratory selection experiments.

Animals↗

High-resolution mapping and isolation of a yeast artificial chromosome contig containing fw2.2: a major fruit weight quantitative trait locus in tomato.

A high-resolution physical and genetic map of a major fruit weight quantitative trait locus (QTL), fw2.2, has been constructed for a region of tomato chromosome 2. Using an F(2) nearly isogenic line mapping population (3472 individuals) derived from Lycopersicon esculentum (domesticated tomato) x Lycopersicon pennellii (wild tomato), fw2.2 has been placed near TG91 and TG167, which have an interval distance of 0.13 +/- 0.03 centimorgan. The physical distance between TG91 and TG167 was estimated to be </= 150 kb by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of tomato DNA. A physical contig composed of six yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) and encompassing fw2.2 was isolated. No rearrangements or chimerisms were detected within the YAC contig based on restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using YAC-end sequences and anchored molecular markers from the high-resolution map. Based on genetic recombination events, fw2.2 could be narrowed down to a region less than 150 kb between molecular markers TG91 and HSF24 and included within two YACs: YAC264 (210 kb) and YAC355 (300 kb). This marks the first time, to our knowledge, that a QTL has been mapped with such precision and delimited to a segment of cloned DNA. The fact that the phenotypic effect of the fw2.2 QTL can be mapped to a small interval suggests that the action of this QTL is likely due to a single gene. The development of the high-resolution genetic map, in combination with the physical YAC contig, suggests that the gene responsible for this QTL and other QTLs in plants can be isolated using a positional cloning strategy. The cloning of fw2.2 will likely lead to a better understanding of the molecular biology of fruit development and to the genetic engineering of fruit size characteristics.

Journal Article↗

Maximum likelihood mapping of quantitative trait loci using full-sib families.

A maximum likelihood method is presented for the detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) using flanking markers in full-sib families. This method incorporates a random component for common family effects due to additional QTL or the environment. Simulated data have been used to investigate this method. With a fixed total number of full sibs power of detection decreased substantially with decreasing family size. Increasing the number of alleles at the marker loci (i.e., polymorphism information content) and decreasing the interval size about the QTL increased power. Flanking markers were more powerful than single markers. In testing for a linked QTL the test must be made against a model which allows for between family variation (i.e., including an unlinked QTL or a between family variance component) or the test statistic may be grossly inflated. Mean parameter estimates were close to the simulated values in all situations when fitting the full model (including a linked QTL and common family effect). If the common family component was omitted the QTL effect was overestimated in data in which additional genetic variance was simulated and when compared with an unlinked QTL model there was reduced power. The test statistic curves, reflecting the likelihood of the QTL at each position along the chromosome, have discontinuities at the markers caused by adjacent pairs of markers providing different amounts of information. This must be accounted for when using flanking markers to search for a QTL in an outbred population.

Animals↗

Mapping-linked quantitative trait loci using Bayesian analysis and Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms.

A Bayesian method for mapping linked quantitative trait loci (QTL) using multiple linked genetic markers is presented. Parameter estimation and hypothesis testing was implemented via Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms. Parameters included were allele frequencies and substitution effects for two biallelic QTL, map positions of the QTL, and markers, allele frequencies of the markers, and polygenic and residual variances. Missing data were polygenic effects and multi-locus marker-QTL genotypes. Three different MCMC schemes for testing the presence of a single or two linked QTL on the chromosome were compared. The first approach includes a model indicator variable representing two unlinked QTL, affecting the trait, one linked and one unlinked QTL, or both QTL linked with the markers. The second approach incorporates an indicator variable for each QTL into the model for phenotype, allowing or not allowing for a substitution effect of a QTL, on phenotype, and the third approach is based on model determination by reversible jump MCMC. Methods were evaluated empirically by analyzing simulated granddaughter designs. All methods identified correctly a second, linked QTL and did not reject the one-QTL model when there was only a single QTL, and no additional or an unlinked QTL.

Algorithms↗

Linkage between a marker locus and a quantitative trait of sibs.

Several variations of a method for detecting linkage between a marker locus and a quantitative trait in full sib families are presented along with computational details. All variations are based on contrasts within qualifying families of three or more sibs. The empirical powers of the various test statistics, evaluated by simulation, were very similar, and also similar to that of Smith. These single-generation tests are likely to be successful only for many families and relatively tight linkage.

Alleles↗

Identification of quantitative trait loci for chemical/inflammatory nociception in mice.

Sensitivity to pain is widely variable, and much of this variability is genetic in origin. The specific genes responsible have begun to be identified, but only for thermal nociception. In order to facilitate the identification of polymorphic, pain-related genes with more clinical relevance, we performed quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping studies of the most common assay of inflammatory nociception, the formalin test. QTL mapping is a technique that exploits naturally occurring variability among inbred strains for the identification of genomic locations containing genes contributing to that variability. An F2 intercross was constructed using inbred A/J and C57BL/6J mice as progenitors, strains previously shown to display resistance and sensitivity, respectively, to formalin-induced nociception. Following phenotypic testing (5% formalin, 25 microl intraplantar injection), mice were genotyped at 90 microsatellite markers spanning the genome. We provide evidence for two statistically significant formalin test QTLs - chromosomal regions whose inheritance is associated with trait variability - on distal mouse chromosomes 9 and 10. Identification of the genes underlying these QTLs may illuminate the basis of individual differences in inflammatory pain, and lead to novel analgesic treatment strategies.

Animals↗

Detection of quantitative trait loci for seminal root traits in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings grown under differential phosphorus levels.

Suboptimal phosphorus availability is a primary constraint for terrestrial plant growth. Seminal roots play an important role in acquisition of nutrients by plant seedlings. The length and number of seminal roots may be particularly important in acquisition of immobile nutrients such as phosphorus by increasing soil exploration. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling seminal root growth in response to phosphorus stress in maize, and to characterize epistatic interactions among QTL. Seminal root length and number were evaluated in 162 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between B73 and Mo17 in seedlings grown in a controlled environment. B73 and Mo17 significantly differed for seminal root length under low phosphorus, but not under adequate phosphorus conditions. Seminal root length of the population grown under low phosphorus ranged from 0 to 79.2 cm with a mean of 32.3 cm; while seminal root length of plants grown under high phosphorus ranged from 0.67 to 59.0 cm with a mean of 23.4 cm. Under low phosphorus, one main-effect QTL was associated with seminal root length and three QTL with seminal root number; under high phosphorus, two QTL with seminal root length and three QTL for seminal root number. These accounted for 11, 25.4, 22.8, and 24.1% of the phenotypic variations for seminal root length and number at low phosphorus, and seminal root length and number at high phosphorus, respectively. Di-genic epistatic loci were detected for seminal root length at low phosphorus (two pairs) seminal root number at low phosphorus (eight pairs), seminal root length at high phosphorus (four pairs), and seminal root number at high phosphorus (two pairs), which accounted for 23.2, 50.6, 32.2, and 20.3% of the total variations, respectively. Seminal root traits observed here were positively yet weakly correlated with shoot biomass in the field under low phosphorus, although no coincident QTL were detected. These results suggest that epistatic interactions are important in controlling genotypic variation associated with seedling seminal root traits.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Identification of two sex-specific quantitative trait loci in chromosome 11q for hip bone mineral density in Chinese.

BACKGROUND: Chromosome 11q has not only been found to contain mutations responsible for the several Mendelian disorders of the skeleton, but it has also been linked to bone mineral density (BMD) variation in several genome-wide linkage studies. Furthermore, quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting BMD in inbred mice and baboons have been mapped to a region syntenic to human chromosome 11q. The aim of the present study is to determine whether there is a QTL for BMD variation on chromosome 11q in the Chinese population. METHODS: Nineteen microsatellite markers were genotyped for a 75 cM region on 11q13-25 in 306 Chinese families with 1,459 subjects. BMD (g/cm(2)) was measured by DXA. Linkage analyses were performed using the variance component linkage analysis method implemented in Merlin software. RESULTS: For women, a maximum LOD score of 1.62 was achieved at 90.8 cM on 11q21 near the marker D11S4175 for femoral neck BMD; LOD scores greater than 1.0 were observed on 11q13 for trochanter BMD. For men, a maximum LOD score of 1.57 was achieved at 135.8 cM on 11q24 near the marker D11S4126 for total hip BMD. CONCLUSION: We have not only replicated the previous linkage finding on chromosome 11q but also identified two sex-specific QTL that contribute to BMD variation in Chinese women and men.

Bone Density↗

Quantitative trait loci controlling refractoriness to Plasmodium falciparum in natural Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes from a malaria-endemic region in western Kenya.

Natural anopheline populations exhibit much variation in ability to support malaria parasite development, but the genetic mechanisms underlying this variation are not clear. Previous studies in Mali, West Africa, identified two quantitative trait loci (QTL) in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes that confer refractoriness (failure of oocyst development in mosquito midguts) to natural Plasmodium falciparum parasites. We hypothesize that new QTL may be involved in mosquito refractoriness to malaria parasites and that the frequency of natural refractoriness genotypes may be higher in the basin region of Lake Victoria, East Africa, where malaria transmission intensity and parasite genetic diversity are among the highest in the world. Using field-derived F2 isofemale families and microsatellite marker genotyping, two loci significantly affecting oocyst density were identified: one on chromosome 2 between markers AG2H135 and AG2H603 and the second on chromosome 3 near marker AG3H93. The first locus was detected in three of the five isofemale families studied and colocalized to the same region as Pen3 and pfin1 described in other studies. The second locus was detected in two of the five isofemale families, and it appears to be a new QTL. QTL on chromosome 2 showed significant additive effects while those on chromosome 3 exhibited significant dominant effects. Identification of P. falciparum-refractoriness QTL in natural An. gambiae mosquitoes is critical to the identification of the genes involved in malaria parasite transmission in nature and for understanding the coevolution between malaria parasites and mosquito vectors.

Animals↗

A quantitative trait locus for alcohol consumption in selectively bred rat lines.

Selective breeding for high and low alcohol consumption led to the establishment of alcohol-preferring (P) and alcohol-nonpreferring (NP) rat lines that differ greatly in their alcohol consumption. These lines were inbred and F2 intercross progenies were generated to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing alcohol consumption. A QTL on chromosome 4 was identified with a maximum lod score of 8.6. This QTL acts in an additive fashion and accounts for 11% of the total phenotypic variability and approximately one-third of the genetic variability. Neuropeptide Y, an endogenous anxiolytic and neuromodulator, has been mapped to this same region of chromosome 4. This study is an advance in genome analyses, demonstrating that crosses between divergent, selectively bred rat lines can be used to identify QTLs. Localization of a gene influencing alcohol consumption may have important implications for the etiology of alcohol abuse and alcoholism in humans.

Alcohol Drinking↗

New quantitative trait loci that contribute to cholesterol gallstone formation detected in an intercross of CAST/Ei and 129S1/SvImJ inbred mice.

Cholesterol gallstone formation is a response to interactions between multiple genes and environmental stimuli. To determine the subset of cholesterol gallstone susceptibility (Lith) genes possessed by strains CAST/Ei (susceptible) and 129S1/SvImJ (resistant), we conducted quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses of an intercross between these strains. Parental strains and F(1) mice of both genders were evaluated for gallstone formation after consumption of a lithogenic diet for 8 wk. Gallstone susceptibility of strain CAST was predominantly due to cholesterol hypersecretion. Male intercross offspring were genotyped and phenotyped for cholesterol gallstone formation after consumption of the lithogenic diet for 10 wk. Linkage analysis was performed using PSEUDOMARKER software. One significant, new QTL was detected and named Lith13 [chromosome (Chr) 5, 30 cM]. Statistical analyses and QTL fine mapping suggest this QTL may comprise two closely linked loci. We confirmed the presence of Lith6 (Chr 6). Suggestive QTL were detected on Chrs 1, 2, 5, 14, and 16. The QTL on Chrs 2 and 16 confirmed previously identified, suggestive QTL. Therefore, they were named Lith12 (101 cM) and Lith14 (42 cM), respectively. We identified candidate genes based on known function and location and performed mRNA expression analyses using both parental strains and intercross progeny for preliminary evaluation of their contributions to gallstone formation. Cebpb (Lith12), Pparg (Lith6), and Slc21a1 (Lith6) displayed expression differences. Our work continues to demonstrate the genetic complexity and to elucidate the pathophysiology of cholesterol gallstone formation. It should facilitate the development of new approaches for treating this common human disorder.

Alleles↗

Quantitative trait loci influencing blood and liver cholesterol concentration in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The LEW/OlaHsd and BC/CpbU rat inbred strains differ markedly in blood and hepatic cholesterol levels before and after a cholesterol-rich diet. To define loci controlling these traits and related phenotypes, an F2 population derived from these strains was genetically analyzed. METHODS AND RESULTS: For each of the 192 F2 animals, phenotypes were determined, and genomic DNA was screened for polymorphic microsatellite markers. Significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected for basal serum cholesterol level on chromosome 1 (D1Rat335-D1Rat27: total population, lod score 9.6; females, lod score 10.3) and chromosome 7 (D7Rat69: males, lod score 4.1), for postdietary serum cholesterol level on chromosome 2 (D2Rat69: total population, lod score 4.4) and chromosome 16 (D16Rat6-D16Rat44: total population, lod score 3.3), for postdietary serum phospholipid level on chromosome 11 (D11Rat10: total population, lod score 4.1; females, lod score 3.6), and for postdietary serum aldosterone level on chromosome 1 (D1Rat14: females, lod score 3.7) and chromosome 18 (D18Rat55-D18Rat8: females, lod score 2.9). In addition, QTLs with borderline significance were found on chromosomes 3, 5 to 11, 15, and 18. CONCLUSIONS: QTLs involved in blood and/or hepatic cholesterol concentrations (or related phenotypes) in the rat were identified. This contributes to the value of the rat as an animal model in studies researching the role of cholesterol in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and other cholesterol-related diseases.

Animals↗

QT interval is a heritable quantitative trait with evidence of linkage to chromosome 3 in a genome-wide linkage analysis: The Framingham Heart Study.

OBJECTIVES: To identify genomic regions linked to QT interval duration in an unselected population. BACKGROUND: QT interval prolongation is associated with increased risk of sudden cardiac death and coronary heart disease and may result from acquired conditions or inherited ion channel defects. The influence of genetic variants on QT interval length in apparently healthy individuals is uncertain. METHODS: We studied subjects from the Framingham Heart Study in whom 12-lead ECGs were available from regular clinic examinations. QT, QT-peak, and RR intervals were measured using digital calipers. A 10-centiMorgan (cM) density genome-wide scan was performed in a subset of the largest families having at least two members with ECG phenotypes (326 families). Variance components methods (Genehunter) were used. RESULTS: Evidence was observed for significant heritability of the QT interval (h(2) 0.35; 95% CI, 0.29-0.41), QT-peak interval (h(2) 0.37; 95% CI, 0.29-0.45), and calculated JT interval (h(2) 0.25; 95% CI, 0.19-0.31). In the genome-wide linkage analysis, we found suggestive evidence for linkage of the QT interval 19 to 48 cM from the tip of the short arm of chromosome 3 (maximum two-point LOD score 3.00, maximum multipoint LOD score 2.71). After fine-mapping with seven microsatellite markers, the peak multipoint LOD score rose to 2.84 at 24.4 cM. The region of linkage contains potassium and sodium channel genes, including the SCN5A gene, which has been implicated in one form of the long QT syndrome and in the Brugada syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: QT and related ECG intervals are heritable traits in a large unselected population. We provide suggestive evidence for a quantitative trait locus on chromosome 3 influencing QT interval duration. Further studies are warranted to identify genes that influence QT interval variation and to determine the role of heritable factors in life-threatening QT prolongation.

Aged↗