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Late blight resistance linkages in a novel cross of the wild potato species Solanum paucissectum (series Piurana).

The cultivated potato, Solanum tuberosum, is affected by a variety of diseases with late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, being the most severe. Wild potato species have proven to be a continuing source of resistance, sometimes of an extreme type, to this disease. The present study constructs the first late blight linkage map of a member of series Piurana, S. paucissectum, a tuber-bearing relative of potato, using probes for conserved sequences from potato and tomato. Eight probes mapped to unexpected linkage groups, but syntenic differences with prior maps of potato were not supported by any blocks of rearranged chromosome segments. All 12 linkage groups were resolved and significant associations with late blight resistance were found on chromosomes 10, 11 and 12. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 11 accounts for more than 25% of the phenotypic variance measured in a field trial. Crossing of S. paucissectum with cultivated potato resulted in very few seeds indicating partial reproductive barriers. Differential reactions of accessions of this potential donor species with simple and complex isolates of P. infestans suggest that it carries major resistance genes that are not those previously described from the Mexican species, S. demissum. However, the additivity of the QTL effects argues for the quantitative nature of resistance in this cross.

Analysis of Variance↗

Overlapping genetic etiology of pediatric and adult germ cell tumors.

BACKGROUND: Germ cell tumors are heterogeneous neoplasms arising from primordial germ cells. Although genome-wide association studies have identified numerous susceptibility loci for adult testicular germ cell tumors, the heritable basis of pediatric testicular germ cell tumors and germ cell tumors that arise outside the testes remain poorly understood. METHODS: We conducted a multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of pediatric germ cell tumors, including 1927 cases from the Germ Cell Tumor Epidemiology Study and 10 601 controls. Cases were diagnosed with testicular (n = 678), ovarian (n = 441), intracranial (n = 435), and extragonadal (n = 373) germ cell tumor between the ages of 0 and 19 years. RESULTS: We identified 4 loci reaching genome-wide significance, including variants near BAK1 (chr 6: rs3831846), SPRY4 (chr 5: rs12515244), DMRT1 (chromosome [chr] 9: rs10815910), and DEPTOR (chr 8: rs13277786). Additional genome-wide statistically significant associations were identified in subgroup analyses, including 6 loci for intracranial germ cell tumors (rs2758612 [PMF1/BGLAP], rs9854760 [PLCL2], rs6851498 [KIT], rs11816992 on chromosome 10, rs3830273 [TFAM], and rs13054014 [LZTR1]), 1 locus for testicular germ cell tumor (rs1907702 [KITLG]), and 1 locus for males (rs4610628 [MAD1L1]). After Bonferroni correction, 18 of 78 previously reported testicular germ cell tumor loci were significantly associated with germ cell tumor overall or in at least 1 subgroup with a particularly strong correlation between testicular germ cell tumor and intracranial germ cell tumor effect estimates (rho = 0.63, P = 5.5 × 10-10). Expression quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses identified candidate genes in the regions identified on chromosome 6 (BAK1, LINC003366, and ITPR3) and chromosome 8 (DEPTOR and RP11-760H22.2). CONCLUSIONS: Our data support a role for germline genetic variation in the development of germ cell tumors in locations outside the testes and highlight shared genetic architecture across age group and tumor location.

Humans↗

Quantitative trait loci mapping of gene expression and chromatin accessibility in primary fibroblasts reveals shared allelic effects between Latin American and European ancestries.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis of molecular data has identified genetic variants associated with traits such as gene expression, and colocalization of these functional QTL with GWAS risk loci has offered insights into the genetic basis of human disease. We employed gene expression (RNA-seq) and chromatin accessibility (ATAC-seq) obtained from human primary fibroblasts to investigate quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in cohorts ascertained for bipolar disorder of European (n = 150) and Latin American (n = 96) ancestries. RESULTS: Leveraging data from three countries of origin (The Netherlands, Colombia, Costa Rica) within our cohort, we characterized differences among individuals at the SNP, gene, and accessible-chromatin levels to compute ancestry-specific expression (e)QTLs and chromatin-accessibility (ca)QTLs. Across ancestries, we observed R2 ≥ 0.93 for eQTL effect sizes and R2 ≥ 0.95 for caQTLs, indicating a high degree of concordance. Integrating chromatin data with expression and genotype information enabled precise fine-mapping of eQTLs, yielding 203 genes with high-confidence (posterior probability > 90%) candidate regulatory pathways. In downstream analyses, transcriptome-wide (TWAS) and chromatin-wide (CWAS) association studies with brain- and skin-related GWAS identified 36 TWAS-significant genes and 77 CWAS-significant open chromatin regions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the shared genetic regulatory mechanisms across European and Latin American ancestries, while demonstrating that ancestry-specific reference panels enhance the accuracy of TWAS and CWAS in diverse populations. More broadly, this study highlights the value of paired multi-omic datasets from diverse cohorts for interpreting disease-associated genetic variation.

Humans↗

Genetic identification of a locus, Mot1, that affects renal tumor size in the rat.

Prognosis and treatment of solid tumors are directly dependent on the stage of disease. For any type of cancer, tumor characteristics such as size, multiplicity, and metastatic potential are highly heterogeneous among patients. Our understanding of the genetic determinants of tumor burden is rudimentary. Here, rats carrying a germline mutation of the gene Tsc2 were found to develop variable size and number of renal tumors. We hypothesize that "modifier" genes unlinked to Tsc2 affect its expressivity. Using a backcross (BC) analysis between the two strains that showed the greatest difference in tumor size (Fischer344 and Brown Norway), we mapped a quantitative trait locus based on tumor volume to rat chromosome 3q, lying in the interval between D3Mit3 and D3Rat17, with a maximum lod score of 4.4. This locus, Mot1 (modifier of Tsc2 1), accounts for approximately 35% of the genetic variation in tumor size between the two strains. No significant difference in tumor multiplicity was noted between Brown Norway and Fischer344 rats. This suggests that Mot1 modulates the rate of disease progression and not tumor initiation. Candidate genes on rat chromosome 3 included Tsc1, whose product interacts biochemically with the TSC2 protein, but it was excluded on the basis of linkage analysis (LOD=0.01). Comparative genomics suggest that the Mot1 region is represented by human chromosomes 15q and 20pq. Our results provide the first evidence of a modifier gene affecting the Tsc2 pathway in the progression of renal tumorigenesis.

Animals↗

Quantitative trait loci for hypercalciuria in a rat model of kidney stone disease.

Hypercalciuria is the most common risk factor for kidney stones and has a recognized familial component. The genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming (GHS) rat is an animal model that closely resembles human idiopathic hypercalciuria, with excessive intestinal calcium absorption, increased bone resorption, and impaired renal calcium reabsorption; overexpression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in target tissues; and calcium nephrolithiasis. For identifying genetic loci that contribute to hypercalciuria in the GHS rat, an F2 generation of 156 rats bred from GHS female rats and normocalciuric WKY male rats was studied. The calcium excretion was six- to eightfold higher in the GHS female than in the WKY male progenitors. Selective genotyping of those F2 rats with the highest 30% and lowest 30% rates of calcium excretion was performed, scoring 98 markers with a mean interval of 23 cM across all 20 autosomes and the X chromosome. With the use of strict criteria for significance, significant linkage was found between hypercalciuria and a region of chromosome 1 at D1Rat169 (LOD, 2.91). Suggestive linkage to regions of chromosomes 4, 7, 10, and 14 was found. The proportion of phenotypic variance contributed by the region on chromosome 1, with appropriate adjustments, was estimated to be 7%. Candidate genes encoding the VDR and the calcium-sensing receptor were localized to regions on rat chromosomes 7 and 11, respectively, but the suggestive quantitative trait locus on chromosome 7 was not in the region of the VDR gene locus. Identification of genes that contribute to hypercalciuria in this animal model should prove valuable in understanding idiopathic hypercalciuria and kidney stone disease in humans.

Animals↗

Rodent models of genetic disease.

The genetic study of rats and mice using natural variants, natural mutations, chemical or radiation induced mutations, engineered mutations and conditional engineered mutations has provided the tools for investigating the genetics of disease. The completion of the mouse genomic sequence and progress towards sequencing the rat genome in the past year will enable the molecular identification of quantitative trait loci and induced mutations. Sequence-based single nucleotide polymorphism discovery and a greater understanding of the haplotype structure of inbred strains is revitalising quantitative trait locus mapping and there are now plans for an ambitious eight-way recombinant inbred cross and renewed interest in existing resources such as heterogeneous stocks. In the past year there have been refinements to ENU mutagenesis approaches including balancer chromosomes and a new gene-driven approach.

Animals↗

Genetic dissection of a major Fusarium head blight QTL in tetraploid wheat.

The devastating effect of Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum has led to significant financial losses across the Upper Midwest of the USA. These losses have spurred the need for research in biological, chemical, and genetic control methods for this disease. To date, most of the research on FHB resistance has concentrated on hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) lines originating from China. Other sources of resistance to FHB would be desirable. One other source of resistance for both hexaploid wheat and tetraploid durum wheat (T. turgidum L. var. durum) is the wild tetraploid, T. turgidum L. var. dicoccoides (T. dicoccoides). Previous analysis of the 'Langdon'-T. dicoccoides chromosome substitution lines, LDN(Dic), indicated that the chromosome 3A substitution line expresses moderate levels of resistance to FHB. LDN(Dic-3A) recombinant inbred chromosome lines (RICL) were used to generate a linkage map of chromosome 3A with 19 molecular markers spanning a distance of 155.2 cM. The individual RICL and controls were screened for their FHB phenotype in two greenhouse seasons. Analysis of 83 RICL identified a single major quantitative trait locus, Qfhs.ndsu-3AS, that explains 37% of the phenotypic or 55% of the genetic variation for FHB resistance. A microsatellite locus, Xgwm2, is tightly linked to the highest point of the QTL peak. A region of the LDN (Dic-3A) chromosome associated with the QTL for FHB resistance encompasses a 29.3 cM region from Xmwg14 to Xbcd828.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Detection of putative loci affecting conformational type traits in an elite population of United States Holsteins using microsatellite markers.

Quantitative trait loci affecting conformational type traits were studied in seven large grandsire families of US Holsteins using the granddaughter design and 16 microsatellite markers on 10 chromosomes. The most significant marker effect was marker BM203 (chromosome 27) for dairy form in a single grandsire family. A multivariate analysis for dairy form and milk yield was also conducted, and the result was highly significant, indicating that a segregating quantitative trait locus or loci affecting dairy form and milk yield could exist near BM203 on chromosome 27. Marker BM1258 (chromosome 23) had a significant effect on udder depth. A multivariate analysis on udder depth and somatic cell score was conducted for markers 513 and BM1258, and both markers showed significant effects on these two traits, indicating that one or several quantitative trait loci affecting udder depth and mastitis might exist on chromosome 23. Marker BM4204 (chromosome 9) had a significant effect on foot angle and on the composite index of traits pertaining to feet and legs, indicating that one or several quantitative trait loci affecting traits pertaining to feet and legs might exist on chromosome 9. Selection on these markers could increase genetic progress within these families.

Animals↗

The dual AngII/AVP receptor gene N119S/C163R variant exhibits sodium-induced dysfunction and cosegregates with salt-sensitive hypertension in the Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rat model.

BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension is a prevalent complex polygenic disease and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in developed countries. Because of its complex and multifactorial nature, its genetic determinants still remain largely unknown. The Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rat model exhibits impaired sodium handling, which is hypothesized to play a key role in the pathophysiology of polygenic hypertension. Thus, genes associated with renal regulation of salt and water balance are a priori likely candidates for a causative role in hypertension pathogenesis. The functional properties and renal-specific expression of the recently characterized AngII/AVP receptor suggest a putative modulator role in tubular sodium and fluid reabsorption. Based on these observations, we investigated the potential involvement of the AngII/AVP receptor in salt-sensitive hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed cosegregation analysis of the AngII/AVP receptor locus with salt-sensitive hypertension in an F2 (Dahl S X Dahl salt-resistant [R]) hybrid male cohort characterized for blood pressure by radiotelemetry after 8 weeks of high salt challenge. Further molecular analysis was done to identify putative AngII/AVP receptor molecular variants that could account for the AngII/ AVP receptor involvement in salt-sensitive hypertension pathogenesis. RESULTS: The AngII/AVP receptor was mapped to rat chromosome 1, 1.7 cM centromeric to the D1Rat188 marker by radiation hybrid mapping analysis. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis detected a highly significant linkage of the AngII/AVP receptor locus with high blood pressure (LRS = 13.8, p= 0.0002). Molecular characterization of the Dahl S and Dahl R AngII/AVP receptor cDNAs revealed two amino acid substitutions in the Dahl S AngII/AVP receptor (N119S, C163R) when compared to the Dahl R AngII/AVP receptor. These mutations are associated with an increased receptor affinity for both ligands (AVP and AngII) and an enhanced G(s)-coupling by the receptor resulting in increased activation of adenylate cyclase with concomitant increase in cAMP production. CONCLUSIONS: The observed molecular dysfunction in the Dahl S AngII/AVP receptor is consistent with increased tubular sodium and fluid reabsorption observed in Dahl S rats. Interestingly, the AngII/AVPr locus is within the narrowed chromosome 1 QTL region for blood pressure detected in different rat intercross linkage analyses. Altogether, the data strongly suggest that the AngII/AVP receptor is a hypertension susceptibility gene in the Dahl S rat model, as well as raises the hypothesis that it too underlies the chromosome 1 blood pressure QTL identified in other hypertension rat models.

Allosteric Regulation↗

Effect of renin gene transfer on blood pressure in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

To investigate whether molecular variation in the renin gene contributes to the greater blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) versus normotensive Brown Norway (BN) rats, we measured blood pressure in an SHR progenitor strain and an SHR congenic strain that are genetically identical except at the renin gene and an associated segment of chromosome 13 transferred from the BN strain. Backcross breeding and molecular selection at the renin locus were used to create the SHR congenic strain (designated SHR.BN-Ren) that carries the renin gene transferred from the normotensive BN strain. We found that transfer of the renin gene from the BN strain onto the genetic background of the SHR did not decrease blood pressure in rats fed either a normal or high-salt diet. In fact, the systolic blood pressures of the SHR congenic rats tended to be slightly greater than the systolic blood pressures of the SHR progenitor rats. However, the congenic strain exhibited lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and greater levels of total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein, and intermediate-density lipoprotein cholesterol during administration of a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet. These findings demonstrate that (1) under the environmental circumstances of the current study, the greater blood pressure of SHR versus BN rats cannot be explained by strain differences in the renin gene and (2) a quantitative trait locus affecting lipid metabolism exists on chromosome 13 within the transferred chromosome segment. The SHR.BN-Ren congenic strain may provide a useful new animal model for studying the interaction between high blood pressure and dyslipidemia in cardiovascular disease.

Animals↗

The effect of selective sampling on mapping quantitative trait loci.

Sib pairs were selectively sampled for extreme concordance or discordance for the quantitative trait Q1, a simulated phenotype (GAW10). Two selective sampling criteria were used (SC1 and SC2), and results for these were compared to linkage analyses using all pairs (ALL). In total 773 sib pairs were available, which reduced to an average of 59.7 pairs under SC1, and 134.1 pairs under SC2. Whole genome screens were performed on 10 different data replicates for each selection criterion (ALL, SC1, and SC2). Fine screens were then performed over regions which indicated at least suggestive linkage, and these regions were also fine screened in an independent data replicate in an attempt to repeat any areas found. The results for the coarse genome screens were similar under each of the criteria, although in general lower maxima and slightly more erratic lods were found under the stricter selection methods. The correct region on chromosome 5 (responsible for approximately 22% of the variance of Q1) was detected (p < 0.0001) in 6/10 of the data replicates using ALL, and 4/10 using SC1 and SC2. The second quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 8 (only 0.5% of the variance of Q1) was detected in only a single data replicate using SC1. False positive rates were similar for each criterion, whereas power decreased using selective sampling compared to ALL, although this was probably due to an insufficient initial sample size.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Multiple seizure susceptibility genes on chromosome 7 in SWXL-4 congenic mouse strains.

The SWXL-4 recombinant inbred mouse strain is unusually sensitive to recurrent tonic-clonic seizures upon routine handling and to seizures induced by chemoconvulsants. In a conventional intercross with the ABP/Le strain, we previously mapped a SWXL-4-derived quantitative trait locus called Szf1 (seizure frequency 1) to Chromosome 7. In the present study, we confirm the existence of Szf1 in both an independent cross and a congenic strain. However, derivative congenic recombinant strains show that an interaction between at least two genes on Chromosome 7-each of which has a very small effect on its own-account for Szf1.

Animals↗

Strategies for managing an ever increasing mutant mouse repository.

Over 10,000 mouse strains and more than 20,000 mouse ES cells containing gene-trapped or targeted mutations are available to researchers. The mouse strains and stocks include those with spontaneous, genetically engineered and induced mutations, as well as 100s of inbred strains and strain panels, valuable for quantitative trait locus (QTL) and modifier gene identification. Current worldwide initiatives are expected to result in multiple mutations in every mouse gene in the first 10 years of the 21st century. Managing the rapid and cost effective distribution of these burgeoning resources to scientists around the world will be challenging for scientists and mouse repositories. Here we describe new strategies for managing and distributing mice.

Animals↗

Identification of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for acid detergent fiber in rice straw by bulked segregant analysis.

Rice straw is a significant energy source for ruminant animals. The acid detergent fiber (ADF) content of rice straw is negatively related to intake potential of forages. Therefore, improving the digestibility of rice straw by reducing ADF content is a necessary goal in breeding programs. In the present study, simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and the bulked segregant analysis (BSA) approach were used to identify molecular markers associated with ADF. A total of 121 BC1F1 plants derived from the cross of JX974 (a cultivar with high ADF, 36.6%) and Dongxiang wild rice (a wild rice with low ADF, 31.3%), with JX974 as a recurrent parent, were used to conduct BSA. Phenotypic analysis showed that ADF displayed a normal distribution in BC1F1 population, indicating the involvement of polygenes. A SSR marker, RM566 on chromosome 9, was identified for ADF. A small linkage map consisting of five markers was constructed by adding four other markers, and a quantitative trait locus (QTL) controlling ADF was mapped at the RM321-RM566 interval, with a distance of 3.9 cM to RM566. This QTL explained 12% of the total phenotypic variation of ADF, and its additive effect was 3%. This study is the first step to map QTL for ADF, one of the plant cell wall components in rice.

Chromosome Mapping↗

A comprehensive expressed sequence tag linkage map for tiger salamander and Mexican axolotl: enabling gene mapping and comparative genomics in Ambystoma.

Expressed sequence tag (EST) markers were developed for Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum (Eastern tiger salamander) and for A. mexicanum (Mexican axolotl) to generate the first comprehensive linkage map for these model amphibians. We identified 14 large linkage groups (125.5-836.7 cM) that presumably correspond to the 14 haploid chromosomes in the Ambystoma genome. The extent of genome coverage for these linkage groups is apparently high because the total map size (5251 cM) falls within the range of theoretical estimates and is consistent with independent empirical estimates. Unlike most vertebrate species, linkage map size in Ambystoma is not strongly correlated with chromosome arm number. Presumably, the large physical genome size ( approximately 30 Gbp) is a major determinant of map size in Ambystoma. To demonstrate the utility of this resource, we mapped the position of two historically significant A. mexicanum mutants, white and melanoid, and also met, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) that contributes to variation in metamorphic timing. This new collection of EST-based PCR markers will better enable the Ambystoma system by facilitating development of new molecular probes, and the linkage map will allow comparative studies of this important vertebrate group.

Ambystoma mexicanum↗

Mechanistic mapping of ontogenetic growth based on biological principles.

Ontogenetic growth can be described by mathematical equations constructed on the goodness of fit. Recently, the biological mechanism underlying mathematical growth equations has been explored using basic cellular properties. Here, we derive a general statistical model for understanding the genetic regulation of ontogenetic growth by integrating those biologically-proven meaningful growth equations into a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping framework. We can characterize the dynamic patterns of effects of QTL governing growth curves and estimate the global effect of the underlying QTL throughout the entire course of growth. The model provides the basis for deciphering genetic relationships for growth rates and the timing of life history events for any kind of organisms.

Animals↗

Localization of a blood pressure QTL on rat chromosome 1 using Dahl rat congenic strains.

We previously reported that markers on rat chromosome 1 are genetically linked to blood pressure in an F(2) population derived from Dahl salt hypertension-sensitive (S) and Lewis (LEW) rats. Because there was evidence for more than one blood pressure quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 1, an initial congenic strain introgressing a large 118-centimorgan (cM) segment of LEW chromosome 1 into the S background had been constructed. This initial congenic strain had a reduced blood pressure compared with S rats, proving the existence of a blood pressure QTL, but not giving a good localization of the QTL. In the present work a series of five overlapping congenic substrains were produced from the original congenic strain in order to localize a blood pressure QTL to a 25-cM region near the center of chromosome 1. The congenic substrains also ruled out the Sa locus as a blood pressure QTL in the S vs. LEW comparison because the Sa locus was contained in a congenic substrain that did not alter blood pressure.

Animals↗

Haplotypes at the Tas2r locus on distal chromosome 6 vary with quinine taste sensitivity in inbred mice.

BACKGROUND: The detection of bitter-tasting compounds by the gustatory system is thought to alert animals to the presence of potentially toxic food. Some, if not all, bitter stimuli activate specific taste receptors, the T2Rs, which are expressed in subsets of taste receptor cells on the tongue and palate. However, there is evidence for both receptor-dependent and -independent transduction mechanisms for a number of bitter stimuli, including quinine hydrochloride (QHCl) and denatonium benzoate (DB). RESULTS: We used brief-access behavioral taste testing of BXD/Ty recombinant inbred (RI) mouse strains to map the major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for taste sensitivity to QHCl. This QTL is restricted to a ~5 Mb interval on chromosome 6 that includes 24 genes encoding T2Rs (Tas2rs). Tas2rs at this locus display in total 307 coding region single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between the two BXD/Ty RI parental strains, C57BL/6J (quinine-sensitive) and DBA/2J (quinine insensitive); approximately 50% of these mutations are silent. Individual RI lines contain exclusively either C57BL/6J or DBA/2J Tas2r alleles at this locus, and RI lines containing C57BL/6J Tas2r alleles are more sensitive to QHCl than are lines containing DBA/2J alleles. Thus, the entire Tas2r cluster comprises a large haplotype that correlates with quinine taster status. CONCLUSION: These studies, the first using a taste-salient assay to map the major QTL for quinine taste, indicate that a T2R-dependent transduction cascade is responsible for the majority of strain variance in quinine taste sensitivity. Furthermore, the large number of polymorphisms within coding exons of the Tas2r cluster, coupled with evidence that inbred strains exhibit largely similar bitter taste phenotypes, suggest that T2R receptors are quite tolerant to variation.

Animals↗