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Association of tagSNPs in the urokinase-plasminogen activator (PLAU) gene with Alzheimer's disease and associated quantitative traits.

The gene coding for urokinase-plasminogen activator (PLAU) is a strong biological and positional candidate gene for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously some studies have examined the role of common variation in the PLAU gene with AD risk but the results have been inconsistent and this inconsistency could have been due to the use of relatively small sample sizes. In this study we evaluated the distribution of four tagSNPs (rs2227562 in intron 5, rs2227564 in exon 6, rs2227571 in intron 9, and rs4065 in 3'UTR) in the PLAU gene in a large case-control study consisting of up to 1,000 AD patients and 697 white control subjects. We examined the role of these tagSNPs with AD risk and quantitative traits of AD, including age-at-onset (AAO), disease duration, and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores. The 3'UTR SNP revealed modest significant association with risk (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53-0.95; P = 0.02), AAO (P = 0.036) and disease duration (P = 0.04) of AD. In addition, the intron 9 SNP also revealed a significant association with AAO (P = 0.01) and disease duration (P = 0.006). Our data on a large number of AD cases and controls suggest that genetic variation in PLAU may affect the risk and AAO of AD.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Identification and confirmation of quantitative trait loci regulating alcohol consumption in congenic strains of mice.

BACKGROUND: C57BL/6 inbred mice prefer alcohol whereas DBA/2 mice avoid it. We describe the construction of congenic strains of mice in which DBA/2 alleles for alcohol avoidance were placed on a C57BL/6 background using phenotypic selection. METHODS: Mice were primed to drink 10% v/v ethanol in water for 2 days before a two-bottle choice paradigm. N2 males who demonstrated an alcohol-avoidance phenotype were backcrossed to B6 females to construct 15 independent lines. RESULTS: Eight of these lines were lost due to failure to breed or absence of males with an alcohol-avoidance phenotype. The remaining sublines were split to form a total of 21 sublines. In the N7 and N9 generations, a genome scan located provisional quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9. Progeny testing confirmed QTLs on chromosomes 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: The QTL on chromosome 2 overlaps the 95% confidence interval of Alcp1 whereas that on chromosome 1 is new and has been called Alcp5. Marker-assisted selection was used in the N9 and subsequent generations to maintain the congenic lines and produce congenic strains.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Localization of two new X-linked quantitative trait loci controlling corpus callosum size in the mouse.

Corpus callosum (CC) size is a complex trait, characterized by a gradation of values within a normal range, as well as abnormalities that include a small or totally absent CC. Among inbred mouse strains with defects of the CC, BTBR T(+)tf/J (BTBR) mice have the most extreme phenotype; all animals show total absence of the CC and severe reduction of the hippocampal commissure (HC). In contrast, the BALB/cByJ (BALB) strain has a low frequency of small CC and consistently normal HC. Reciprocal F(1) crosses between BTBR and BALB suggest the presence of X-linked quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting CC size. Through linkage analysis of backcross male progeny, we have localized two regions on the X chromosome, having peaks at 68.5 Mb (approximately 29.5 cM) and at 134.5 Mb (approximately 60.5 cM) that are largely responsible for the reciprocal differences, with the BTBR allele showing X-linked dominant inheritance associated with CC defects.

Agenesis of Corpus Callosum↗

Joint linkage and linkage disequilibrium mapping of quantitative trait loci in natural populations.

Linkage analysis and allelic association (also referred to as linkage disequilibrium) studies are two major approaches for mapping genes that control simple or complex traits in plants, animals, and humans. But these two approaches have limited utility when used alone, because they use only part of the information that is available for a mapping population. More recently, a new mapping strategy has been designed to integrate the advantages of linkage analysis and linkage disequilibrium analysis for genome mapping in outcrossing populations. The new strategy makes use of a random sample from a panmictic population and the open-pollinated progeny of the sample. In this article, we extend the new strategy to map quantitative trait loci (QTL), using molecular markers within the EM-implemented maximum-likelihood framework. The most significant advantage of this extension is that both linkage and linkage disequilibrium between a marker and QTL can be estimated simultaneously, thus increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of genome mapping for recalcitrant outcrossing species. Simulation studies are performed to test the statistical properties of the MLEs of genetic and genomic parameters including QTL allele frequency, QTL effects, QTL position, and the linkage disequilibrium of the QTL and a marker. The potential utility of our mapping strategy is discussed.

Algorithms↗

A quantitative trait locus on chromosome 16q influences variation in plasma HDL-C levels in Mexican Americans.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a whole-genome, multipoint linkage screen to localize a previously reported major locus accounting for 56% to 67% of the additive genetic effects on covariate-adjusted plasma HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in Mexican Americans from the San Antonio Family Heart Study (SAFHS). METHODS AND RESULTS: After using complex segregation analysis to recover the major locus in 472 SAFHS participants from 10 genotyped families, we incorporated covariates required to detect that major locus, including plasma levels of triglycerides and apolipoprotein A-I, in a maximum-likelihood-based variance-components linkage screen. Only chromosome 16 exhibited convincing evidence for a quantitative trait locus (QTL), with a peak multipoint log of the odds (LOD)=3.73 (P=0.000034). Subsequent penetrance model-based linkage analysis, incorporating genotypes at the marker locus nearest the multipoint peak (D16S518) into the segregation model, detected linkage with the previously detected major locus (LOD=2.73, P=0.000642). Initial estimates place this QTL within a 15-cM region of chromosome 16q near the structural loci for lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). CONCLUSIONS: A QTL influencing plasma levels of HDL-C in Mexican Americans from San Antonio maps to a region of human chromosome 16q near LCAT and CETP.

Adolescent↗

Mapping quantitative trait loci for a common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) ideotype.

Breeding a model plant that encompasses individual traits thought to enhance yield potential, known as ideotype breeding, has traditionally focused on phenotypic selection of plants with desirable morphological traits. Broadening this breeding method to the molecular level through the use of molecular markers would avoid the environmental interactions associated with phenotypic selection. A population of 110 F5 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), derived from the cross between WO3391 and 'OAC Speedvale', was used to develop a genetic linkage map consisting of 105 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), simple sequence repeat (SSR), and sequence-tagged site (STS) markers. The map has a total length of 641 cM distributed across 8 linkage groups (LGs). Five of them were aligned on the core linkage map of bean. Twenty-one quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified over three environments for eight agronomic and architectural traits previously defined for a bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) ideotype. The QTLs were mapped to seven LGs with several regions containing QTLs for multiple traits. At least one QTL was located for each trait and a maximum of four were associated with lodging. Total explained phenotypic variance ranged from 10.6% for hypocotyl diameter to 45.4% for maturity. Some of the QTLs identified will be useful for early generation selection of tall, upright, high-yielding lines in a breeding program.

Analysis of Variance↗

Genetic manipulation and quantitative-trait loci mapping for nitrogen recycling in rice.

Immunocytological studies in this laboratory have suggested that NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (NADH-GOGAT; EC 1.4.1.14) in developing organs of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Sasanishiki) is involved in the utilization of glutamine remobilized from senescing organs through the phloem. Because most of the indica cultivars contained less NADH-GOGAT in their sink organs than japonica cultivars, over-expression of NADH-GOGAT gene from japonica rice was investigated using Kasalath, an indica cultivar. Several T0 transgenic Kasalath lines over-producing NADH-GOGAT under the control of a NADH-GOGAT promoter of Sasanishiki, a japonica rice, showed an increase in grain weight (80% as a maximum), indicating that NADH-GOGAT is indeed a key step for nitrogen utilization and grain filling in rice. A genetic approach using 98 backcross-inbred lines (BC(1)F(6)) developed between Nipponbare (a japonica rice) and Kasalath were employed to detect putative quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the contents of cytosolic glutamine synthetase (GS1; EC 6.3.1.2), which is probably involved in the export of nitrogen from senescing organs and those of NADH-GOGAT. Immunoblotting analyses showed transgressive segregations toward lower or greater contents of these enzyme proteins in these BC(1)F(6). Seven chromosomal QTL regions were detected for GS1 protein content and six for NADH-GOGAT. Some of these QTLs were located in QTL regions for various biochemical and agronomic traits affected by nitrogen recycling. The relationships between the genetic variability of complex agronomic traits and traits for these two enzymes are discussed.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Mapping of quantitative trait loci controlling timing of bud flush in Salix.

Dormancy release is an important phenological stage, which determines plant growth and survival in northern temperate regions. Spring bud flushing was studied in a Salix pedigree (n=82) derived from a cross between the male hybrid clone "Björn" (Salix viminalis x Salix schwerinii) and the female clone "78183" (Salix viminalis). The timing of bud flush was recorded outdoors in two consecutive years (1998, 1999) and indoor in the spring of 1998. Timing of bud flush was found to be under moderately strong genetic control (clonal mean heritabilities ranging from 0.43 to 0.72). Phenotypic correlations between height growth and bud flushing were negative but non-significant (r=0.1-0.3). Using a Salix linkage map composed of 325 AFLP and 38 RFLP markers, six quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and three unmapped marker loci associated with timing of bud flush were detected. Four QTLs were detected in the field experiment while two QTLs and three unmapped marker loci were identified in the indoor experiment. One QTL associated with indoor bud flushing coincided with one of the QTL detected from the field data. Individual QTL explained 6-16% of the phenotypic variance [corrected]. None of the bud flush QTLs coincided with QTLs controlling height growth identified previously in the same pedigree.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Two quantitative trait loci affecting progressive hearing loss in 101/H mice.

Although recent progress in identifying genes involved in deafness has been remarkable, the genetic basis of progressive hearing loss (or age-related hearing loss) is poorly understood because of the extreme difficulty in studying such a late-onset, complex disease in human populations. Several inbred strains of mice such as 129P1/ReJ, C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, and BALB/cByJ have been reported to exhibit age-related hearing loss and provide valuable models for human nonsyndromic progressive deafness. In this article we show that 101/H mice also exhibit progressive deafness with early onset. Linkage analysis of F(2) populations derived from crosses between the 101/H and the MAI/Pas and MBT/Pas wild-derived mice suggested at least two major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that influence progressive hearing loss. A first QTL, designated Phl1, was mapped with a maximum LOD score of 6.7 to the centromeric region of Chromosome 17, where no deafness-related QTL has been mapped so far. A second QTL, designated Phl2, mapped to Chromosome 10 and exhibited a maximum LOD score of 5.3. The map position of Phl2 near the well-known QTL of age-related hearing loss (Ahl) suggested the possibility of allelism, although the Ahl mutation itself did not segregate in these crosses. Finally, we found some evidence of epistatic interaction between Phl1 and Phl2.

Animals↗

Methods to estimate genetic components of variance for quantitative traits in family studies.

The aim of this paper was to compare several methods of estimating the genetic components of a quantitative trait in familial data. The Expectation and Maximization (E-M) algorithm, the Newton-Raphson method, and the scoring method were compared for estimating polygenic and environmental effects on nuclear families. We also compared scoring and quasilikelihood (QL) methods when a linked genetic marker was available to estimate effects from a major gene. Generally, all procedures performed similarly in estimating polygenic and environmental variance components. The E-M algorithm yielded more precise estimators when heritability was low. The scoring method was much faster than the other methods and yielded slightly more precise estimates of mean effects but slightly less precise estimates of the variance components. Estimates of major gene effects were not affected by the number of alleles at the trait locus. For these relatively large sample sizes, QL and scoring had similar precision, but QL took 32 times longer than scoring. Finally, we compared the results of applying these methods to data from the Bogalusa Heart Study. Results showed larger imprecision when the QL method was applied, consistent with earlier studies that showed decreased precision of quasilikelihood compared with maximum likelihood in moderately small sample sizes.

Algorithms↗

Commingling and segregation analyses: comparison of results from a simulation study of a quantitative trait.

Commingling analysis is commonly used to provide preliminary evidence for a single genetic locus with a major effect on the quantitative trait of interest. In this paper, the effectiveness of commingling analysis as a screening technique to identify samples for segregation analysis is assessed by applying both commingling and segregation analyses to samples of simulated pedigree data in which a major locus is segregating in the presence of polygenes and an individual-specific environmental effect. Under the circumstances simulated here, there is evidence for a single locus from segregation analysis but not from commingling analysis in at least 20% of the samples. No more than 2% of the samples provided evidence for commingling but not for segregation of a single locus. Comparisons of the samples that give evidence for both commingling and segregation, evidence for one but not the other, and no evidence for either show that evidence for commingling depends on the distributional characteristics of the trait in the sample, while support for the single locus from segregation analysis depends on both the distributional characteristics as well as the transmission of the rarer allele from parents to offspring. Since lack of commingling does not rule out the existence of a single locus in the realistic situations considered here, commingling analysis has limited usefulness as a screening technique for the presence for a single locus. In contrast, evidence for commingling does suggest the possibility that a single locus has a major effect on the trait and commingling analysis can provide guidance in the choice of initial parameter estimates for segregation analysis.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

Genetic control of the mouse cerebellum: identification of quantitative trait loci modulating size and architecture.

To discover genes influencing cerebellum development, we conducted a complex trait analysis of variation in the size of the adult mouse cerebellum. We analyzed two sets of recombinant inbred BXD strains and an F2 intercross of the common inbred strains, C57BL/6J and DBA/2J. We measured cerebellar size as the weight or volume of fixed or histologically processed tissue. Among BXD recombinant inbred strains, the cerebellum averages 52 mg (12.4% of the brain) and ranges 18 mg in size. In F2 mice, the cerebellum averages 62 mg (12.9% of the brain) and ranges approximately 20 mg in size. Five quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that significantly control variation in cerebellar size were mapped to chromosomes 1 (Cbs1a), 8 (Cbs8a), 14 (Cbs14a), and 19 (Cbs19a, Cbs19b). In combination, these QTLs can shift cerebellar size an appreciable 35% of the observed range. To assess regional genetic control of the cerebellum, we also measured the volume of the cell-rich, internal granule layer (IGL) in a set of BXD strains. The IGL ranges from 34 to 43% of total cerebellar volume. The QTL Cbs8a is significantly linked to variation in IGL volume and is suggestively linked to variation in the number of cerebellar folia. The QTLs we have discovered are among the first loci shown to modulate the size and architecture of the adult mouse cerebellum.

Animals↗

Quantitative trait loci on chromosomes 2p, 4p, and 13q influence bone mineral density of the forearm and hip in Mexican Americans.

UNLABELLED: We performed a genome scan using BMD data of the forearm and hip on 664 individuals in 29 Mexican-American families. We obtained evidence for QTL on chromosome 4p, affecting forearm BMD overall, and on chromosomes 2p and 13q, affecting hip BMD in men. INTRODUCTION: The San Antonio Family Osteoporosis Study (SAFOS) was designed to identify genes and environmental factors that influence bone mineral density (BMD) using data from large Mexican-American families. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a genome-wide linkage analysis using 416 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers spaced approximately 9.5 cM apart to locate and identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) that affect BMD of the forearm and hip. Multipoint variance components linkage analyses were done using data on all 664 subjects, as well as two subgroups of 259 men and 261 premenopausal women, from 29 families for which genotypic and phenotypic data were available. RESULTS: We obtained significant evidence for a QTL affecting forearm (radius midpoint) BMD in men and women combined on chromosome 4p near D4S2639 (maximum LOD = 4.33, genomic p = 0.006) and suggestive evidence for a QTL on chromosome 12q near locus D12S2070 (maximum conditional LOD = 2.35). We found suggestive evidence for a QTL influencing trochanter BMD on chromosome 6 (maximum LOD = 2.27), but no evidence for QTL affecting the femoral neck in men and women combined. In men, we obtained evidence for QTL affecting neck and trochanter BMD on chromosomes 2p near D2S1780 (maximum LOD = 3.98, genomic p = 0.013) and 13q near D13S788 (maximum LOD = 3.46, genomic p = 0.039), respectively. We found no evidence for QTL affecting forearm or hip BMD in premenopausal women. CONCLUSION: These results provide strong evidence that a QTL on chromosome 4p affects radius BMD in Mexican-American men and women, as well as evidence that QTL on chromosomes 2p and 13q affect hip BMD in men. Our results are consistent with some reports in humans and mice. J Bone Miner Res 2003;18:2245-2252

Adolescent↗

Quantitative trait loci associated with elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone in the Wistar-Kyoto rat.

Thyroid hormones are essential for the regulation of developmental and physiological processes. The genetic factors underlying naturally occurring variability in mammalian thyroid function are, however, only partially understood. Genetic control of thyroid function can be studied with animal models such as the inbred Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat strain. Previous studies established that WKY rats have elevated TSH, slightly elevated total T3, and normal total T4 levels compared with Wistar controls. The present study confirmed a persistent 24-h elevation of TSH in WKY rats compared with the Fisher 344 (F344) rat, another inbred strain. Acute T3 challenge (25 microg/100 g body weight ip) suppressed serum TSH and T4 levels in both strains. Quantitative trait locus analysis of elevated TSH in a reciprocally bred WKY x F344 F2 population identified one highly significant locus on chromosome 6 (LOD=11.7, TSH-1) and one suggestive locus on chromosome 5 (LOD=2.3, TSH-2). The confidence interval of TSH-1 contains the TSH receptor and type 2 deiodinase genes, and TSH-2 contains the type 1 deiodinase gene. The WKY alleles of each gene contain sequence alterations, but additional studies are indicated to identify the specific gene or genes responsible for altered regulation of the thyroid axis. These findings suggest that one or more genetic alterations within the TSH-1 locus significantly contribute to the altered thyroid function tests of the WKY rat.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Influence of ethanol on thermoregulation: mapping quantitative trait loci.

The genetic basis for the effects of ethanol on thermoregulation was investigated by utilizing recombinant inbred mouse strains from C57BL/6J and DBA/2J progenitor strains. Changes in core body temperature (T(c)) and the degree of fluctuation of T(c) were monitored in male mice following the administration of ethanol in an environment with cyclic changes in ambient temperature (T(a)). Changes in T(c) were utilized to assess ethanol-induced effects on regulated T(c), whereas fluctuations in T(c) were utilized to assess thermoregulatory disruption. Ethanol was administered intraperitoneally at 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 g/kg for all strains. Change in T(c) and increase in tail temperature were also evaluated at 2.5 g/kg ethanol in a constant T(a) of 26 degrees C. Associations between the measured physiological responses and previously mapped genetic markers were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs). This established probable chromosome locations for a number of genes for the responses. To our knowledge, this is the first report of QTLs that underlie changes in regulation as well as the disruption of a physiological regulatory system.

Animals↗

Quantitative trait locus analysis reveals two intragenic sites that influence O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The repair of specific types of DNA alkylation damage by O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (MGMT) is a major mechanism of resistance to the carcinogenic and chemotherapeutic effects of certain alkylating agents. MGMT expression levels vary widely between individuals but the underlying causes of this variability are not known. To address this, we used an expressed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and demonstrated that the MGMT alleles are frequently expressed at different levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). This suggests that there is a genetic component of inter-allelic variation of MGMT levels that maps close to or within the MGMT locus. We then used quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using intragenic SNPs and found that there are at least two sites influencing inter-individual variation in PBMC MGMT activity. One is characterized by an SNP at the 3' end of the first intron and the second by two SNPs in the last exon. The latter are in perfect disequilibrium and both result in amino acid substitutions-one of them, Ile143Val, affecting an amino acid close to the Cys145 residue at the active site of MGMT. Using in vitro assays, we further showed that while the Val143 variant did not affect the activity of the protein on methylated DNA substrate, it was more resistant to inactivation by the MGMT pseudosubstrate, O6-(4-bromothenyl)guanine. These findings suggest that further investigations of the potential epidemiological and clinical significance of inherited differences in MGMT expression and activity are warranted.

Base Sequence↗

Response of rice to Al stress and identification of quantitative trait Loci for Al tolerance.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) shows the highest tolerance to Al toxicity among small-grain cereal crops, however, the mechanisms and genetics responsible for its high Al tolerance are not yet well understood. We investigated the response of rice to Al stress using the japonica variety Koshihikari in comparison to the indica variety Kasalath. Koshihikari showed higher tolerance at various Al concentrations than Kasalath. The Al content in root apexes was less in Koshihikari than in Kasalath, suggesting that exclusion mechanisms rather than internal detoxification are acting in Koshihikari. Al-induced secretion of citrate was observed in both Koshihikari and Kasalath, however, it is unlikely to be the mechanism for Al tolerance because there was no significant difference in the amount of citrate secreted between Koshihikari and Kasalath. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for Al tolerance were mapped in a population of 183 backcross inbred lines (BILs) derived from a cross of Koshihikari and Kasalath. Three putative QTLs controlling Al tolerance were detected on chromosomes 1, 2 and 6. Kasalath QTL alleles on chromosome 1 and 2 reduced Al tolerance but increased tolerance on chromosome 6. The three QTLs explained about 27% of the phenotypic variation in Al tolerance. The existence of QTLs for Al tolerance was confirmed in substitution lines for corresponding chromosomal segments.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Genetic control of sensitivity to hippocampal cell death induced by kainic acid: a quantitative trait loci analysis.

Host genetic factors are likely to contribute to differences in individual susceptibility to seizure-induced excitotoxic neuronal damage. Similarly, inbred strains of mice differ in their susceptibility to the kainic acid (KA) model of seizure-induced cell death, but the genes responsible for the differences are not known. Here, we define the inheritance patterns of susceptibility to KA-induced neurodegeneration in the hippocampus by assessing 331 back-cross (N2) progeny of two inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6 and FVB/N, previously shown to display resistance and sensitivity to KA-induced cell death, respectively. Results of phenotypic analysis suggest that the difference in susceptibility between these two strains is conferred by a single dominant gene. Therefore, we used an N2 back-cross between the inbred C57BL/6 and FVB/N strains for a genome-wide search for quantitative trait loci (QTLs), which are chromosomal sites containing genes influencing the magnitude of susceptibility. Genome-wide interval mapping in N2 progeny identified a locus on distal chromosome (Chr) 18 with a peak LOD score of 4.9 localized between D18Mit186 and D18Mit4 as having the strongest and most significant effect in this model. QTLs of minor effect were detected on Chr 15 (D15Mit174-D15Mit156) and Chr 4 (D4Mit264-D4Mit91), with peak LOD scores of 3.02 and 2.46, respectively. The three significant QTLs (Chrs 4, 15, 18) together account for nearly 25% of the trait variance for both genders combined. Reduced KA-induced cell death susceptibility was observed in a congenic strain in which the highly susceptible FVB/N strain carried putative resistance alleles from the C57BL/6 strain on Chr 18.

Animals↗