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Results for “genomic heritability”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Gamma irradiation of Type B spermatogonia leads to heritable genomic instability in four generations of mice.

Mice conceived 6 weeks after paternal exposure to ionizing radiation were fathered by sperm that were Type B spermatogonia at the time of irradiation. Previous studies of these offspring showed that this paternal F0 germ cell irradiation led to decreased embryonic cell proliferation rates, altered enzyme activities, protein levels and whole-body weights. In the present study, we examined four generations of CD1 mice following paternal F0 irradiation of the Type B spermatogonia (1.0 Gy, (137)Cs gamma rays) to determine the stability of the heritable effects. Offspring were evaluated for changes in protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase enzyme activities and Trp53 and p21(waf1) protein levels. Two or more endpoints were significantly altered in all four generations of offspring from the irradiated F0 sire (P <or= 0.05). To test the hypothesis that these heritable biochemical effects are random stochastic responses rather than some predictable uniform response, each endpoint was also evaluated in terms of a variability index (VI). Results of VI analyses show that the observed heritable phenotype is unpredictable in magnitude and direction of change for an endpoint between generations and within generations. These results indicate that irradiated spermatogonia develop a capacity to transmit a type of heritable genomic instability to four generations of offspring.

Animals↗
PubMed2024

Longitudinal characterization of impulsivity phenotypes boosts signal for genomic correlates and heritability.

Genomic correlates of impulsivity have been identified in several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using cross-sectional designs, but no studies have investigated the molecular genetic correlates of impulsivity phenotypes using longitudinally constructed traits. In 3860 unrelated European participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), we constructed longitudinal phenotypes for delay discounting and impulsive personality traits (as measured by the UPPS-P impulsive behavior scales) via assessment at ages 24, 26, and 28. We conducted GWASs of impulsivity using both cross-sectional and longitudinal phenotypes, estimated heritability and their phenotypic and genetic correlations, and evaluated their association with recently-developed polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for the impulsivity indicators themselves and also related psychiatric conditions. Latent growth curve modeling revealed a stable intercept over time for all impulsivity phenotypes. High genetic correlation of cross-sectional measures over time suggested a stable genetic component for delay discounting (rg&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.53-0.99) and sensation seeking (rg&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.99). Heritability estimates of the stable longitudinal phenotypes substantively improved as compared to their cross-sectional counterparts, revealing a significant SNP-heritability for delay discounting (0.22; p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.03) and sensation seeking (0.35; p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.0007). Consistent with previous reports, GWAS and gene-based analyses revealed associations between specific longitudinal impulsivity indicators and CADM2 and NCAM1 genes. The PRSs for the impulsivity indicators and disorders related to self-regulation were also significantly associated with longitudinal impulsivity traits. Finally, we validated the associations between longitudinal impulsivity phenotypes and their PRSs in an independent 13-wave longitudinal study (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1019) and the benefit of longitudinal phenotypes in simulation studies. In this first longitudinal genetic study of impulsivity traits, the results revealed stable genomic correlates of delay discounting and sensation seeking over time and further validated the utility of recently-developed PRSs, both in relation to the observed traits and in connecting them to psychiatric disorders. More generally, these findings support using latent intercepts as novel longitudinal phenotypes to boost signal for heritability and genomic correlates of mechanisms contributing to psychiatric disease liability.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Public opinion survey on heritable human genome editing in South Africa: a study protocol.

Heritable human genome editing (HHGE) presents new possibilities for the prevention of genetic diseases but also raises ethical and societal questions. While international surveys have explored public attitudes, particularly in high-income countries, there is a lack of large-scale empirical data from the Global South. In South Africa, previous work used deliberative public engagement to examine public perspectives. The present study aims to complement this by capturing public opinion through a cross-sectional survey, enabling direct comparison with deliberative findings. This study will recruit 400 adult participants residing in South Africa using targeted Facebook advertisements. A two-phase sampling process will be employed: initial screening for demographic information, followed by stratified sampling to ensure a representative South African population. The opinion survey consists of 19 HHGE scenarios, each explored through private and public moral lenses. Additionally, participants will indicate their interpretation of 'safe and effective' genome editing. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Qualitative responses will undergo thematic analysis using both manual coding and generative AI tools under human oversight. The study includes two stages of informed consent and ensures data confidentiality through strict data handling protocols. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and policy forums. The study will also generate a secondary dataset for evaluating AI-assisted qualitative analysis, to be conducted under separate ethical clearance.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Chemical mutagenesis and fine-structure functional analysis of the mouse genome.

Heritable mutations constitute important raw materials for mammalian developmental genetics and general genome studies. Mutations induced by high-efficiency chemical mutagenesis of germ cells in mice can be used in genetic and molecular studies to complement physical-mapping strategies and to examine the nature and extent of the functional complexities hidden within the mammalian genome.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

New approaches to assessing the effects of mutagenic agents on the integrity of the human genome.

Heritable genetic alterations, although individually rare, have a substantial collective health impact. Approximately 20% of these are new mutations of unknown cause. Assessment of the effect of exposures to DNA damaging agents, i.e. mutagenic chemicals and radiations, on the integrity of the human genome and on the occurrence of genetic disease remains a daunting challenge. Recent insights may explain why previous examination of human exposures to ionizing radiation, as in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, failed to reveal heritable genetic effects. New opportunities to assess the heritable genetic damaging effects of environmental mutagens are afforded by: (1) integration of knowledge on the molecular nature of genetic disorders and the molecular effects of mutagens; (2) the development of more practical assays for germline mutagenesis; (3) the likely use of population-based genetic screening in personalized medicine.

Congenital Abnormalities↗
PubMed2025

Genomic prediction and genome-wide association study for liver abscesses in crossbred beef cattle.

Liver abscesses are a concern in feedlot cattle, and little is known about the role of genetics in their development. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters and to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with liver abscesses. Crossbred cattle representing 18 breeds in the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center Germplasm Evaluation Program were phenotyped for liver abscesses at slaughter (n&#x2005;=&#x2005;9,044). Seventeen percent of cattle had liver abscesses. These cattle had genotypes that were imputed to sequence variant genotypes. After filtering and quality control, 340,723 SNPs were used in the analysis. Liver abscess prevalence was modeled with a single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) threshold model using a Bayesian framework. The model included contemporary group (sex, treatment group, and slaughter date), additive genomic, and residual effects. Genomic heritability was 0.039 (95% highest posterior density&#x2005;=&#x2005;0.005, 0.081), which was very small. To assess prediction quality, a 5-fold random cross-validation structure was used. Method Linear Regression was used to assess accuracy, bias, and dispersion by comparing estimated breeding values (EBV) from full and reduced analyses. Cross-validation metrics showed EBV based on genotypes had 0.05 reliability (SD&#x2005;<&#x2005;0.01) with no bias relative to EBV based on genotypes and phenotypes. For the genome-wide association study, SNP effects were back calculated from the EBV solutions from ssGBLUP. No SNPs were associated with liver abscesses at a Benjamini-Hochberg adjusted 0.05 significance level. Although a large dataset was used, this result was because of the low genomic heritability and imprecise EBV used to calculate SNP effects. Based on these results, environmental factors contribute to most of the variation in liver abscesses. Genetic selection to reduce liver abscesses would be slow because of the low genomic heritability, measurement late in life, and inability to measure breeding animals. A faster approach would be finding additional environmental interventions that maintain animal performance.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Chromosome-scale genome assembly and genomic prediction of essential oil compounds in Atractylodes lancea for genomics-assisted breeding.

Atractylodes lancea rhizomes are used as crude drugs. Essential oil compounds, including atractylodin, hinesol, &#x3b2;-eudesmol, and atractylon, are key determinants of crude drug quality. Conventional breeding of A. lancea is difficult because of its perennial growth. In this study, a chromosome-scale reference genome of A. lancea (4.79 Gb) was generated, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genomic predictions of essential oil compounds were conducted to explore the potential for genome-assisted breeding. Genotyping of 480 lines using double-digest restriction-site-associated DNA-sequencing yielded 29,136 high-quality SNPs. All the compounds showed high genomic heritability (h2 = 0.758-0.915), indicating strong genetic control. Despite the high genomic heritability, GWAS detected only one weak association with atractylon and no significant loci for the three compounds. However, genomic prediction achieved moderate to high accuracy across multiple models, particularly the ridge regression, genomic best linear unbiased prediction, and Bayesian approaches. The prediction accuracy, measured as the Pearson correlation coefficient between the observed and predicted values, exceeded 0.6 for all four essential oil compounds. These results demonstrate the efficacy of genomic selection for improving essential oil compound levels in A. lancea and provide a foundation for genome-assisted breeding of medicinal plants with long breeding cycles.

Atractylodes lancea↗
PubMed2026

Genomic selection in timothy (Phleum pratense L.): a comprehensive evaluation of prediction models, multi-trait strategies, and forward validation across Norwegian environments.

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of genomic selection (GS) in timothy (Phleum pratense L.), comparing nine prediction models across yield and quality traits at two Norwegian locations. Forward validation with independent full-sib (FS2) families revealed a substantial generalization gap, highlighting the need for realistic accuracy assessment in polyploid forage breeding. Timothy (Phleum pratense L.) is the most important forage grass in Northern Europe, yet genomic selection has not been systematically evaluated in this hexaploid species. We assessed 889 FS2-families originating from biparental crosses among 49 cultivars/populations. The FS2-families were genotyped with 30,698 SNP markers derived from genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and field tested for three harvest years at a highland and a lowland continental location in Southern Norway. Nine genomic prediction models were compared for six yield traits (dry matter yield per cut and total) and six quality traits (protein, digestibility, and fiber fractions) across three cuts/year. Within-training cross-validation accuracies were moderate to high (mean r = 0.62), with Random Forest and SVR consistently outperforming GBLUP. However, forward validation using 213 independent FS2-families revealed dramatically lower accuracies (mean r = 0.16), with only 16 of 30 trait-dataset combinations reaching statistical significance (p < 0.05). Genomic heritabilities (GREML), estimated across environments, ranged from near zero for the quality traits to 0.55 for the yield traits. Multi-trait models improved accuracy by 3-5% over single-trait approaches, while FS2 families-by-environment interaction models with Random Forest achieved the highest within-training accuracy (mean r = 0.71). Marker density analysis showed accuracy plateauing at approximately 15000 SNPs. Genetic correlations among the yield component traits were estimated by multi-trait REML; correlations among the quality traits could not be estimated reliably because their genomic heritabilities were low. A multi-trait selection index identified top-performing FS2-families for further crossing recommendations. These results provide a benchmark for GS implementation in hexaploid timothy and emphasize that cross-validation substantially overestimates prediction accuracy for truly independent material.

Norway↗
PubMed2006

Computational prediction of methylation status in human genomic sequences.

Epigenetic effects in mammals depend largely on heritable genomic methylation patterns. We describe a computational pattern recognition method that is used to predict the methylation landscape of human brain DNA. This method can be applied both to CpG islands and to non-CpG island regions. It computes the methylation propensity for an 800-bp region centered on a CpG dinucleotide based on specific sequence features within the region. We tested several classifiers for classification performance, including K means clustering, linear discriminant analysis, logistic regression, and support vector machine. The best performing classifier used the support vector machine approach. Our program (called hdfinder) presently has a prediction accuracy of 86%, as validated with CpG regions for which methylation status has been experimentally determined. Using hdfinder, we have depicted the entire genomic methylation patterns for all 22 human autosomes.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1994

Genome lability in radiation-induced transformants of C3H 10T1/2 mouse fibroblasts.

We have been investigating radiation-induced neoplastic transformants of C3H 10T1/2 mouse fibroblasts for evidence of heritable changes. C3H 10T1/2 cells were treated with 8 Gy X rays. After approximately 8 weeks of culture, type II/III foci were isolated from the monolayer using cloning rings. Cell lines developed from these foci, and clones established from these cell lines, were examined for DNA content. The isolated focus-derived populations and derived clones often display aneuploidy and/or polyploidization. In one instance a clone (derived from a single cell) displayed multiple polyploidies. During passage the ploidy of many of the anomalous populations gradually reverted to the ploidy of the non-neoplastically transformed state. The morphological features associated with the neoplastic transformation event were nevertheless retained. The results demonstrate that exposure to radiation can induce, in association with morphological neoplastic transformation, a heritable, genomically labile state.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Virus-induced gene editing of stomatal regulators in Nicotiana benthamiana enables rapid functional genomics.

Virus-induced gene editing (VIGE) holds promise as a rapid and scalable approach for functional genomics in plants. Here, we apply a tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based single-guide RNA (sgRNA) delivery system to target key regulators of stomatal development in Nicotiana benthamiana using transgenic Cas9-expressing lines. sgRNAs fused to a mobile RNA element and co-delivered with TRV enabled both somatic and heritable genome editing across orthologs of STOMAGEN, EPF2, YODA, and SPEECHLESS. Somatic editing frequencies reached up to 95%, and heritable tetra-allelic mutations were recovered in multiple target genes. Mutants exhibited significant, gene-specific changes in stomatal density, with corresponding effects on leaf temperature indicative of altered evaporative cooling. Additionally, sgRNAs fused to an AmCyan reporter enabled visualization of virus-infected tissues, allowing stomatal phenotyping in edited M0 sectors. This TRV-based platform facilitates functional assessment of genes influencing stomatal patterning and offers a powerful tool for dissecting gene function in a developmentally and physiologically relevant context.

Nicotiana↗
PubMed2004

Gene regulatory network analysis in sea urchin embryos.

It may safely be predicted that GRN analysis will become increasingly important. It will come to underlie the causal study of development, the major effort underway to understand the regulatory code built into animal genomes and also the evolution of these genomes. Partly by serendipity, sea urchin embryos turn out to be a superb experimental material for GRN analysis. Their natural properties have, in turn, influenced the predilections of those who work on them, and between them and us, so to speak, this is now a developmental system of which we are rapidly gaining an unusually complete understanding. The causal linkages that control development of the whole embryo will be revealed, leading all the way from the heritable genomic regulatory code to the events of embryology. The fundamental experimental operation is the perturbation analysis: Here is where causality permeates the exploration. We have in this chapter summarized in some detail the requirements for perturbation GRN analysis in sea urchin embryos. But that is not all, nor is it enough to enable the assembly of a GRN: What is required is the combined application of elegant computational methods, of gene regulation molecular biology, of genomic sequence data, and of experimental embryology. As the results crystallize together, we can begin to see how far this powerful combination of methods and ideas is going to carry us.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Genome-wide association and selective sweep analyses reveal genetic loci for teat number trait in pigs.

Teat number is a key reproductive trait for the commercial pig industry, as an optimum number enhances weaned piglet survival rate. This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genomic regions that are associated with teat number in the Large White sow. A total of 1000 French Large White sows were used in an analysis of total, left/right, and maximum unilateral teat number. Environmental factor, Spearman correlation, genome-wide association study (GWAS), linkage disequilibrium, and selective sweep analyses were conducted, with validation performed in a population of 1145 Landrace pigs. Genetic statistics showed that this population's teat number had moderate-low genomic heritability (h2&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.17-0.21) and weak negative correlation with weaned piglet litter weight. Parity and season affected teat development. GWAS identified 17 candidate SNPs on SSC 4, 7, and 17. Combined with selective sweep analysis, two key regions on SSC 7 were found, with four teat number-related SNPs, annotated to VRTN, DIO2, NRXN3. These candidate genes are associated with thoracic vertebrae development, hormone regulation during the early stage of teat formation, and nervous system development. These five SNPs showed similar results in the Landrace pig validation population; non-mutant homozygotes had 0.25-1.15 more teats than mutant ones in both populations. This study contributes to the identification of key variant loci associated with teat number-related traits in sows, thereby providing reliable molecular markers and a theoretical basis for marker-assisted selection of sow reproductive performance.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Molecular characterization of vitellogenin and its receptor with CRISPR-based sgRNA validation in the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Geyer) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

Maruca vitrata, the legume pod borer, causes yield losses of up to 80% in grain legumes. Increasing insecticide resistance and environmental concerns necessitate sustainable pest management alternatives. In the present study, the complete vitellogenin (Vg) coding sequence (CDS), a key reproductive gene involved in oogenesis and embryonic development, was cloned and molecularly characterised from M. vitrata. The assembled Vg CDS (&#x223c;5.3 kb) shared 99.04% sequence identity with the reported M. vitrata Vg sequence (MG799570.1). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated close evolutionary association with related Lepidopteran species, while protein domain analysis identified three conserved domains, namely LPD_N, DUF1943, and VWD. Among these, the single exon-encoded LPD_N domain was selected as the target region for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing. Homology models of Vg and vitellogenin receptor (VgR) (Global Model Quality Estimation (GMQE): 0.58 and 0.51) showed a favourable interaction by protein-protein docking (score: -295.66). Three single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) were designed, synthesised through in-vitro transcription, and evaluated using in vitro cleavage assays. sgRNA1 targeting the LPD_N domain and sgRNA2 targeting the signal peptide region exhibited efficient site-specific cleavage activity, whereas sgRNA3 failed to induce cleavage because of an unfavourable secondary structure that likely impaired Cas9-sgRNA complex formation. Overall, this study provides the first CRISPR-oriented functional characterisation and sgRNA validation of the M. vitrata Vg gene, together with structural characterisation of VgR and Vg-VgR interaction analysis, providing preliminary molecular resources for future CRISPR/Cas9 studies and supporting future embryo microinjection and heritable&#xa0;genome editing for sustainable management of M. vitrata.

CRISPR/Cas9↗
PubMed1990

Molecular evidence that homologous recombination occurs in proliferating human somatic cells.

A strategy has been developed to detect and characterize certain heritable genomic alterations that occur as cells proliferate in vitro. Multiple subclones of cells were isolated from two clonal lymphoblastoid cell lines--one from a boy with Bloom's syndrome (BS), a cancer-predisposing condition known to feature excessive somatic mutation, the other from a normal man. The DNAs from the cell lines were hybridized to a panel of probes that can detect restriction fragment length polymorphisms, and the patterns of polymorphism in the primary clones were compared with that in each of the secondary clones. In one of the BS secondary clones three loci, positioned distally on the long arm of chromosome 3 and that are heterozygous in the donor and all other cell lines derived from the primary clone, had lost heterozygosity and apparently had become homozygous; in contrast, heterozygous loci more proximal on 3q had retained their heterozygosity, as had those on 3p. Taking into account the pattern of chromosome instability uniquely characteristic of BS, the most plausible explanation for the alterations in the altered clone is that somatic recombination had occurred in vitro, via homologous chromatid interchange. Such spontaneous recombinational events in nonneoplastic, nonmutagenized cells may contribute to the high cancer incidence in BS and, by analogy, to cancer that arises in the general population.

Cell Division↗
PubMed2004

Ocular refraction: heritability and genome-wide search for eye morphometry traits in an isolated Sardinian population.

No genes influencing oculometric phenotypes have yet been identified, despite it being well known that eye morphometry is involved in refraction and that genetics may play an important role. We have therefore performed a heritability analysis and genome-wide search (GWS) of biometric ocular traits in an isolated Sardinian population, assessing the genetic contribution and identifying the associated genetic loci. A complete eye examination including refraction and ocular biometry measurements such as axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and corneal curvature (CC), was performed on 789 subjects. Heritability analysis was carried out by means of parent-offspring regression and variance component models. Univariate and bivariate linkage analysis was performed by using 654 microsatellite markers spanning the genome. CC showed a mean heritability of 57%. AL and ACD were found to have significantly different variances (P<0.01) in males and females, so that heritability was calculated separately for each sex. AL had an estimated heritability in females of 31% and in males of 60%, whereas ACD had an estimated heritability of 47% in females and of 44% in males. In the GWS, the most suggestive evidence of linkage was identified on chromosome 2 for AL (LOD 2.64), on chromosome 1 for ACD (LOD 2.32) and on chromosomes 7, 2 and 3 for CC (LOD 2.50, 2.44 and 2.34, respectively). High heritability of eye morphometry traits was thus revealed. The identified loci are the first linkage signals available in ocular biometry. Notably, the observed significant differences in parental transmission deserve further study.

Adolescent↗