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A search for quantitative trait loci for milk production traits on chromosome 6 in Finnish Ayrshire cattle.

Cattle chromosome 6 was scanned with 11 markers, ten microsatellites and the casein haplotype, to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the following milk production traits: milk yield, fat percentage, fat yield, protein percentage and protein yield. Twelve Finnish Ayrshire half-sib families with a total of 480 sons were genotyped and used in a grand-daughter design. Interval mapping was performed with a multiple-marker regression approach with a one-QTL and a two-QTL model, and the significance threshold values were determined empirically using a permutation test. Across-family analysis with the one-QTL model revealed an effect on protein percentage (P < 0.05) and on milk yield (P < 0.05). The analysis with the two-QTL model identified significant effects (P < 0.05) on protein percentage, milk yield, and fat yield. Comparing these two cases, the results suggest the existence of two QTLs on chromosome 6 with an effect on milk production traits. One of the QTLs was located around the casein genes. As the other QTL was similar in location and effect to a QTL found previously in Holstein-Friesians, an identity-by-descent approach could be applied to fine map this region.

Animals↗

Proceedings of the SMBE Tri-National Young Investigators' Workshop 2005. Genome-wide associations between hybrid sterility QTL and marker transmission ratio distortion.

Marker transmission ratio distortion (TRD) in genetic mapping populations is frequently ascribed to selection against allelic combinations that cause hybrid incompatibility. Accordingly, genomic regions of TRD should be nonrandomly associated (colocated) with loci that underlie hybrid incompatibility. To directly test this hypothesis, we evaluated the genome-wide qualitative and quantitative agreement between chromosomal regions exhibiting marker TRD and those known to contain hybrid incompatibility quantitative trait locus (QTL). Incompatibility data came from a near-isogenic line (NIL) analysis of pollen and seed sterility in a cross between two Solanum (formerly Lycopersicon) species. We assessed (1) whether these incompatibility loci are colocated with markers that show significant TRD in two earlier generations preceding these introgression lines and (2) whether the magnitude of marker distortion quantitatively matches the estimated strength of selection against each incompatibility locus. We found evidence that TRD regions are chromosomally colocated with hybrid incompatibility loci more frequently than is expected by chance: pollen sterility QTLs were most closely associated with distorted heterozygote frequencies in later-generation backcrosses. Nonetheless, there was no evidence for an association between TRD and seed sterility and little evidence of a quantitative association between the magnitude of marker TRD and the fitness effects of heterospecific alleles at each chromosomal location. We propose and test a model (the "dance partner" model) to explain several cases where regions of TRD are not associated with hybrid incompatibility loci. Under this model, some NILs containing greater than one heterospecific introgression may not express hybrid incompatibility phenotypes because they carry both appropriate genetic dance partners required for a fully functional interaction. Accordingly, negative interactions expressed in earlier backcross generations are masked in these double-introgression NILs. Based on this model, we identify the location of several new putative pairwise interactors underlying hybrid incompatibility in this species cross.

Chromosome Mapping↗

The FIC1 gene: structure and polymorphisms in baboon.

A genome scan performed on 648 pedigreed baboons to detect and localize quantitative trait loci (QTL) for lipoprotein phenotypes that are known risk factors for atherosclerosis indicated the presence of a QTL on chromosome 18q that exerts a major influence on HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) related phenotypes. Inspection of the human gene map revealed that the familial intrahepatic cholestatis gene 1 (FIC1) maps to the homologous region of baboon chromosome 18 containing the major QTL influencing HDL-C phenotypes. FIC1 is a strong biological candidate for this QTL because HDL-C is the preferred precursor for bile acid synthesis. In this study, we cloned and sequenced FIC1 cDNA and found that it is highly conserved between human and baboon. We also sequenced FIC1 cDNAs from a panel of unrelated baboons revealing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a polymorphic dinucleotide repeat. None of the baboon SNPs corresponded to human FIC1 mutations associated with familial intrahepatic cholestasis or benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis disorders.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Quantitative trait locus analysis of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels in KK x RR F2 mice.

A previous quantitative trait locus (QTL) study on hyperlipidemia in C57BL/6J x KK-Ay/a F2 mice identified three significant cholesterol QTLs (Cq1 and Cq2 on chromosome 1, and Cq3 on chromosome 3), and a suggestive triglyceride QTL on chromosome 9. An alternative analysis of this study identified a novel cholesterol QTL on chromosome 9 (Cq4), and a significant triglyceride QTL on chromosome 9 (Tgq1). In the present study, QTL analysis was performed on KK x RR F2 mice. A significant cholesterol QTL (Cq5, lod score 5.6) was identified on chromosome 9, and a significant triglyceride QTL (Tgq2, lod score 4.7) was identified on chromosome 8. The Cq5 locus was mapped to a region similar to the Cq4 locus. On the other hand, the Tgq2 locus overlapped with the QTL region responsible for glucose intolerance (Giq1) that was identified in a previous study. The results suggest that a different combination of QTLs is involved in the trait when a different counterpart strain is used. Identification of distinct, but related traits in an identical chromosomal region will facilitate revealing the responsible gene.

Alleles↗

Sequence conservation of homeologous bacterial artificial chromosomes and transcription of homeologous genes in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.).

The paleopolyploid soybean genome was investigated by sequencing homeologous BAC clones anchored by duplicate N-hydroxycinnamoyl/benzoyltransferase (HCBT) genes. The homeologous BACs were genetically mapped to linkage groups C1 and C2. Annotation of the 173,747- and 98,760-bp BACs showed that gene conservation in both order and orientation is high between homeologous regions with only a single gene insertion/deletion and local tandem duplications differing between the regions. The nucleotide sequence conservation extends into intergenic regions as well, probably due to conserved regulatory sequences. Most of the homeologs appear to have a role in either transcription/DNA binding or cellular signaling, suggesting a potential preference for retention of duplicate genes with these functions. Reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis of homeologs showed that in the tissues sampled, most homeologs have not diverged greatly in their transcription profiles. However, four cases of changes in transcription were identified, primarily in the HCBT gene cluster. Because a mapped locus corresponds to a soybean cyst nematode (SCN) QTL, the potential role of HCBT genes in response to SCN is discussed. These results are the first sequenced-based analysis of homeologous BACs in soybean, a diploidized paleopolyploid.

Base Sequence↗

Mapping quantitative physiological traits in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.).

Efficient breeding and selection of high-quality apple cultivars requires knowledge and understanding of the underlying genetics. The availability of genetic linkage maps constructed with molecular markers enables the detection and analysis of major genes and quantitative trait loci contributing to the quality traits of a genotype. A segregating population of the cross between the apple varieties 'Fiesta' (syn. 'Red Pippin') and 'Discovery' has been observed over three years at three different sites in Switzerland and data on growth habit, blooming behaviour, juvenile period and fruit quality has been recorded. QTL analyses were performed, based on a genetic linkage map consisting of 804 molecular markers and covering all 17 apple chromosomes. With the maximum likelihood based interval mapping method, the investigated complex traits could be dissected into a number of QTLs affecting the observed characters. Genomic regions participating in the genetic control of stem diameter, plant height increment, leaf size, blooming time, blooming intensity, juvenile phase length, time of fruit maturity, number of fruit, fruit size and weight, fruit flesh firmness, sugar content and fruit acidity were identified and compared with previously mapped QTLs in apple. Although 'Discovery' fruit displayed a higher acid content, both acidity QTLs were attributed to the sweeter parent 'Fiesta'. This indicated homozygosity at the acidity loci in 'Discovery' preventing their detection in the progeny due to the lack of segregation.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Analysis of phase of LUCIFERASE expression reveals novel circadian quantitative trait loci in Arabidopsis.

In response to exogenous rhythms of light and temperature, most organisms exhibit endogenous circadian rhythms (i.e. cycles of behavior and gene expression with a periodicity of approximately 24 h). One of the defining characteristics of the circadian clock is its ability to synchronize (entrain) to an environmental rhythm. Entrainment is arguably the most salient feature of the clock in evolutionary terms. Previous quantitative trait studies of circadian characteristics in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) considered leaf movement under constant (free-running) conditions. This study, however, addressed the important circadian parameter of phase, which reflects the entrained relationship between the clock and the external cycle. Here it is shown that, when exposed to the same photoperiod, Arabidopsis accessions differ dramatically in phase. Variation in the timing of circadian LUCIFERASE expression was used to map loci affecting the entrained phase of the clock in a recombinant population derived from two geographically distant accessions, Landsberg erecta and Cape Verde Islands. Four quantitative trait loci (QTL) were found with major effects on circadian phase. A QTL on chromosome 5 contained SIGNALING IN RED LIGHT REDUCED 1 and PSEUDORESPONSE REGULATOR 3, both genes known to affect the circadian clock. Previously unknown polymorphisms were found in both genes, making them candidates for the effect on phase. Fine mapping of two other QTL highlighted genomic regions not previously identified in any circadian screens, indicating their effects are likely due to genes not hitherto considered part of the circadian system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sibpair studies implicate chromosome 18 in essential hypertension.

Interest in chromosome 18 in essential hypertension comes from comparative mapping of rat blood pressure quantitative trait loci (QTL), familial orthostatic hypotensive syndrome studies, and essential hypertension pedigree linkage analyses indicating that a locus or loci on human chromosome 18 may play a role in hypertension development. To further investigate involvement of chromosome 18 in human essential hypertension, the present study utilized a linkage scan approach to genotype twelve microsatellite markers spanning human chromosome 18 in 177 Australian Caucasian hypertensive (HT) sibling pairs. Linkage analysis showed significant excess allele sharing of the D18S61 marker when analyzed with SPLINK (P = 0.00012), ANALYZE (Sibpair) (P = 0.0081), and also with MAPMAKER SIBS (P = 0.0001). Similarly, the D18S59 marker also showed evidence for excess allele sharing when analyzed with SPLINK (P = 0.016), ANALYZE (Sibpair) (P = 0.0095), and with MAPMAKER SIBS (P = 0.014). The adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 1 gene (ADCYAP1) is involved in vasodilation and has been co-localized to the D18S59 marker. Results testing a microsatellite marker in the 3' untranslated region of ADCYAP1 in age and gender matched HT and normotensive (NT) individuals showed possible association with hypertension (P = 0.038; Monte Carlo P = 0.02), but not with obesity. The present study shows a chromosome 18 role in essential hypertension and indicates that the genomic region near the ADCYAP1 gene or perhaps the gene itself may be implicated. Further investigation is required to conclusively determine the extent to which ADCYAP1 polymorphisms are involved in essential hypertension.

Alleles↗

A method for marker-assisted selection based on QTLs with epistatic effects.

A method for marker-assisted selection (MAS) based on quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with epistatic effects is proposed. The efficiency of such method is investigated by simulations under a wide range of situations. In the presence of epistasis, MAS generally yields longer persistence response than that based exclusively on additive or additive and dominance. Neglecting epistasis could result in considerable loss in response, and more pronounced at later generations. In addition to population size and trait heritability, genetic variance configurations play an important role in determining both the short- and long-term efficiencies of MAS. MAS using breeding values not only achieves higher response, but also tends to have smaller standard error than other methods in most cases. Errors in QTL detection cause distinct reductions in responses to MAS in most cases. It is thus concluded that verifications of putative QTL and its magnitude of effect and accurate map chromosome location are imperative to realize the potentials of MAS.

Epistasis, Genetic↗

Quantitative trait loci for maternal performance for offspring survival in mice.

Maternal performance refers to the effect that the environment provided by mothers has on their offspring's phenotypes, such as offspring survival and growth. Variations in maternal behavior and physiology are responsible for variations in maternal performance, which in turn affects offspring survival. In our study we found females that failed to nurture their offspring and showed abnormal maternal behaviors. The genetic architecture of maternal performance for offspring survival was investigated in 241 females of an F(2) intercross of the SM/J and LG/J inbred mouse strains. Using interval-mapping methods we found two quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting maternal performance at D2Mit17 + 6 cM and D7Mit21 + 2 cM on chromosomes 2 and 7, respectively. In a two-way genome-wide epistasis scan we found 15 epistatic interactions involving 23 QTL distributed across all chromosomes except 12, 16, and 17. These loci form several small sets of interacting QTL, suggesting a complex set of mechanisms operating to determine maternal performance for offspring survival. Taken all together and correcting for the large number of significant factors, QTL and their interactions explain almost 35% of the phenotypic variation for maternal performance for offspring survival in this cross. This study allowed the identification of many possible candidate genes, as well as the relative size of gene effects and patterns of gene action affecting maternal performance in mice. Detailed behavior observation of mothers from later generations suggests that offspring survival in the first week is related to maternal success in building nests, grooming their pups, providing milk, and/or manifesting aggressive behavior against intruders.

Animals↗

T cells in aging mice: genetic, developmental, and biochemical analyses.

A combination of approaches - gene mapping, biomarker analysis, and studies of signal transduction - has helped to clarify the mechanisms of age-related change in mouse immune status and the implications of immune aging for late-life disease. Mapping studies have documented multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL) that influence the levels of age-sensitive T-cell subsets. Some of these QTL have effects that are demonstrable in young-adult mice (8 months of age) and others demonstrable only in middle-aged mice (18 months). Biomarker studies show that T-cell subset levels measured at 8 or 18 months are significant predictors of lifespan for mice dying of lymphoma, fibrosarcoma, mammary adenocarcinoma, or all causes combined. Mice whose immune systems resemble that of young animals, i.e. with low levels of CD4(+) and CD8(+) memory T cells and relatively high levels of CD4(+) T cells, tend to outlive their siblings with the opposite subset pattern. Biochemical analyses show that T cells from aged mice show defects in the activation process within a few minutes of encountering a stimulus and that the defects precede the recognition by the T-cell receptor of agonist peptides on the antigen-presenting cell. Defective assembly of cytoskeletal fibers and hyperglycosylation of T-cell surface glycoproteins contribute to the immunodeficiency state, and indeed treatment with a sialylglycoprotein endopeptidase can restore full function to CD4(+) T cells from aged donors in vitro.

Aging↗

Quantitative trait loci associated with adventitious shoot formation in tissue culture and the program of shoot development in Arabidopsis.

Arabidopsis ecotypes, Columbia (Col) and Landsberg erecta (Ler), differ in their capacity to regenerate shoots in culture, as do many other cultivars and varieties of the same plant species. Recombinant inbred (RI) lines derived from a cross of Col x Ler were scored for shoot regeneration, and the Arabidopsis genome was scanned using composite interval mapping for loci associated with shoot regeneration. Three QTL were identified--a major one on chromosome 5 in which the Col parent contributed the superior allele and two minor QTL on chromosomes 1 and 4 in which the Ler parent contributed the superior alleles. The RI lines were binned into genotypic pools to isolate the effects of the major QTL on chromosome 5 while holding the minor QTL constant. To identify genes with expression levels that are associated with the allelic state of the major QTL on chromosome 5, oligonucleotide array expression patterns for genes in the LLC pool (Ler alleles at the minor QTL and a Col allele at the major QTL) were compared to those in the LLL pool (Ler alleles at all QTL). The genes that were significantly differentially expressed between the two pools included several encoding transcription factors and signaling or transposon-related proteins.

Arabidopsis↗

Mapping of quantitative trait locus related to submergence tolerance in rice with aid of chromosome walking.

The major QTL for submergence tolerance was locate in the 5.9 cM interval between flanking RFLP markers. To narrow down this region, a physical map was constructed using YAC and BAC clones. A 400-kb YAC was identified in this region and later its end fragments were used to screen a rice BAC library. Through chromosome walking, 24 positive BAC clones formed two contigs around linked-RFLP markers, R1164 and RZ698. Using one YAC end, six BAC ends and three RFLP markers, a fine-scale map was constructed of the 6.8-cM interval of S10709-RZ698 on rice chromosome 9. The submergence tolerance and related trait were located in a small, well-defined region around BAC-end marker 180D1R and RFLP marker R1164. The physical-to-map distance ratio in this region is as small as 172.5 kb/cM, showing that this region is a hot spot for recombination in the rice genome.

Chromosome Walking↗

The association of flowering time quantitative trait loci with duplicated regions and candidate loci in Brassica oleracea.

A population of 150 doubled haploid lines of rapid cycling Brassica oleracea, derived from an F1 from a var. alboglabra x var. italica cross, was scored for flowering time in two trials. Using information on 82 mapped molecular markers, spread evenly across the nine linkage groups, QTL were identified at six locations; one each on linkage groups O2 and O3 and two each on linkage groups O5 and O9. In total, these QTL explained 58 and 93% of the genetical variation in the two trials. Three of these QTL, on linkage groups O2, O3, and O9, were situated in regions showing considerable homology both with each other and with chromosome regions of B. nigra that have been shown to affect flowering time. These same regions are all homologous to a single tract of Arabidopsis chromosome 5, which contains a number of the flowering-related genes, one or more of which may be candidates for the QTL found in Brassica.

Brassica↗

Linkage analysis for blood pressure with rat chromosome 15 markers.

A series of markers located across rat chromosome (Chr.) 15 was mapped and then systematically genotyped for cosegregation with blood pressure in an F2 population that originated from crosses of the Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rats with rats of the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) strain, i.e., F2(S x WKY). Alleles for the markers centered around the locus for endothelin-receptor B (Ednrb) weakly cosegregated with blood pressure in the F2(S x WKY) population. Therefore, it appears highly unlikely that there is major blood pressure quantitative trait locus (QTL) on rat Chr. 15, which possesses a strong effect on blood pressure in the S rat. The Chr. 15 map will be useful for mapping genes and searching for QTL of other biological traits.

Animals↗

Phosphorus deficiency-induced root elongation and its QTL in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

A significant level of root elongation was induced in rice (Oryza sativa) grown under phosphorus-deficient conditions. The root elongation clearly varied among a total of 62 varieties screened under two different phosphorus levels. Two contrasting varieties, 'Gimbozu', with a low elongating response and 'Kasalath', with a high elongating response, were chosen and crossed to produce a hybrid population for QTL analyses. QTLs for the phosphorus deficiency-induced root elongation were detected by two linkage maps, i.e., one with 82 F3 families constructed by 97 simple sequence repeat (SSR) and sequence-tag site markers and another with 97 F8 lines by 790 amplified fragment length polymorphism and SSR markers. A single QTL for the elongation response was detected on chromosome 6, with a LOD score of 4.5 in both maps and explained about 20% of total phenotypic variance. In addition, this QTL itself, or a region tightly linked with it, partly explained an ability to reduce accumulation of excess iron in the shoots. The identified QTL will be useful to improve rice varieties against a complex nutritional disorder caused by phosphorus deficiency and iron toxicity.

Oryza↗

The genetic dissection of immune response using gene-expression studies and genome mapping.

Functional genomics has been applied to the genetic dissection of immune response in different ways: (1) experimental crosses between lines that differ in their (non-) specific immune response have been used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying these differences. (2) The measurement of gene expression levels for thousands of genes using microarrays or oligonucleotide chips to identify differential expression with regard to antigen challenge: (a) before and after infection, (b) resistant versus susceptible lines, or (c) combinations of both. Interpretation of QTL results is hampered by the fact that confidence regions of the QTL are large and can contain hundreds of potential candidate genes for the QTL. At the same time, the microarray experiments tend to show large numbers of differentially expressed genes without identifying the relationships between these genes. In the recently proposed 'genetical genomics' framework, members of a segregating population are characterised for genome-wide molecular markers and for gene expression levels. This facilitates the mapping of expression-QTL (eQTL): loci in the genome that control the expression of genes. Initial applications of this approach are critically reviewed and potential applications of this approach with regard to immune response are presented.

Animals↗

A directed search in the region of GDF8 for quantitative trait loci affecting carcass traits in Texel sheep.

A directed search for QTL affecting carcass traits was carried out in the region of growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF8, also known as myostatin) on ovine chromosome 2 in seven Texel-sired half-sib families totaling 927 progeny. Weights were recorded at birth, weaning, ultrasound scanning, and slaughter. Ultrasonic measures of LM cross-sectional dimensions and s.c. fat above the LM were made, with the same measurements made on the LM after slaughter. Following slaughter, linear measurements of carcass length and width were made on all carcasses, and legs and loins from 540 lambs were dissected. Genotyping was carried out using eight microsatellite markers from FCB128 to RM356 on OAR 2 and analyzed using Haley-Knott regression. There was no evidence for QTL for growth rates or linear carcass traits. There was some evidence for QTL affecting LM dimensions segregating in some sire families, although it was not consistent between ultrasound and carcass measures of the same traits. There was strong and consistent evidence for a QTL affecting muscle and fat traits in the leg that mapped between markers BM81124 and BULGE20 for the four sires that were heterozygous in this region, but not for the three sires that were homozygous. The size of the effect varied across the four sires, ranging from 0.5 to 0.9 of an adjusted SD for weight-adjusted leg muscle traits, and ranging from 0.6 to 1.2 of an adjusted SD for weight-adjusted leg fat traits. The clearest effect shown was for multivariate analysis combining all leg muscle and fat traits analyzed across sires, where the -log(10) probability was 14. Animals carrying the favorable haplotype had 3.3% more muscle and 9.9% less fat in the leg relative to animals carrying other haplotypes. There was evidence for a second peak in the region of marker TEXAN2 for one sire group. It seems that a QTL affecting muscle and fat traits exists within the New Zealand Texel population, and it maps to the region of GDF8 on OAR2.

Adipose Tissue↗