基于简化基因组测序的大黄鱼耐高温性状全基因组关联分析

利用Illumina HiSeqTM 2500测序平台,对通过高温胁迫实验筛选得到的20尾耐高温和20尾不耐高温的大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)进行了简化基因组测序(SLAF-seq),每个样本的平均测序深度达到10.26×,共获得419211个高质量的群体单核苷酸多态性(SNP)位点.利用TASSEL软件的混合线性模型(MLM)进行全基因组关联分析(GWAS),共筛选到38个与大黄鱼耐高温性状显著相关的SNP位点(P<2.39E–08).利用BLAST程序定位每个SNP位点在大黄鱼基因组中的位置,并分析其周围的功能基因.结果在38个SNPs附近共找到26个已知的功能基因,这些基因主要与细胞转录、代谢、免疫等功能相关.研究结果可为下一步大黄鱼耐高温分子机制解析及耐高温品种的选育提供参考.  

Single step genome-wide association studies based on genotyping by sequence data reveals novel loci for the litter traits of domestic pigs

In this study, data genotyping by sequence (GBS) was used to perform single step GWAS (ssGWAS) to identify SNPs associated with the litter traits in domestic pigs and search for candidate genes in the region of significant SNPs. After quality control, 167,355 high-quality SNPs from 532 pigs were obtained. Phenotypic traits on 2112 gilt litters from 532 pigs were recorded including total number born (TNB), number born alive (NBA), and litter weight born alive (LWB). A single-step genomic BLUP approach (ssGBLUP) was used to implement the genome-wide association analysis at a 5% genome-wide significance level. A total of 8, 23 and 20 significant SNPs were associated with TNB, NBA, and LWB, respectively, and these significant SNPs accounted for 62.78%, 79.75%, and 58.79% of genetic variance. Furthermore, 1 (SSC14: 16314857), 4 (SSC1: 81986236, SSC1: 66599775, SSC1: 161999013, and SSC1: 267883107), and 5 (SSC9: 29030061, SSC2: 32368561, SSC5: 110375350, SSC13: 45619882 and SSC13: 45647829) significant SNPs for TNB, NBA, and LWB were inferred to be novel loci. At SSC1, the AIM1 and FOXO3 genes were found to be associated with NBA; these genes increase ovarian reproductive capacity and follicle number and decrease gonadotropin levels. The genes SLC36A4 and INTU are involved in cell growth, cytogenesis and development were found to be associated with LWB. These significant SNPs can be used as an indication for regions in the Sus scrofa genome for variability in litter traits, but further studies are expected to confirm causative mutations.  

Joint genetic and network analyses identify loci associated with root growth under NaCl stress in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants have evolved a series of tolerance mechanisms to saline stress, which perturbs physiological processes throughout the plant. To identify genetic mechanisms associated with salinity tolerance, we performed linkage analysis and genome‐wide association study (GWAS) on maintenance of root growth of Arabidopsis thaliana in hydroponic culture with weak and severe NaCl toxicity. The top 200 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) determined by GWAS could cumulatively explain approximately 70% of the variation observed at each stress level. The most significant SNPs were linked to the genes of ATP‐binding cassette B10 and vacuolar proton ATPase A2. Several known salinity tolerance genes such as potassium channel KAT1 and calcium sensor SOS3 were also linked to SNPs in the top 200. In parallel, we constructed a gene co‐expression network to independently verify that particular groups of genes work together to a common purpose. We identify molecular mechanisms to confer salt tolerance from both predictable and novel physiological sources and validate the utility of combined genetic and network analysis. Additionally, our study indicates that the genetic architecture of salt tolerance is responsive to the severity of stress. These gene datasets are a significant information resource for a following exploration of gene function.  

京海黄鸡体重性状全基因组关联分析

体重性状是肉鸡重要的经济性状。为了寻找可用于京海黄鸡体重性状遗传改良的分子标记及候选基因，本文以400只京海黄鸡核心群母鸡为基础，测定了0~14周龄体重，利用简化基因组测序技术(Specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing, SLAF-seq)对京海黄鸡体重性状进行全基因组关联研究(Genome-wide association stndy, GWAS)，筛选与京海黄鸡体重性状相关的SNPs位点。结果共检测到100个与京海黄鸡体重相关的SNPs位点，其中15个位点效应达到全基因组显著水平(P<1.87E-06)，85个位点效应达到全基因组潜在显著水平(P<3.73E-05)。通过筛选每个显著SNP周围1 Mb区域内的基因，共找到9个可能的候选基因，其中FAM124A(Family with sequence similarity 124A)、QDPR(Quinoid dihydropteridine reductase)、WDR1(WD repeat domain 1)和SLC2A9(Solute carrier family 2(facilitated glucose transporter), member 9)4个基因可能是影响体重性状的重要候选基因。同时还发现，4号染色体75.6~80.7 Mb区域集中了大部分与京海黄鸡中后期体重性状显著相关的SNPs位点，该区域可能是影响京海黄鸡中后期生长体重的重要候选区域。  

Role of genomics in translational research for Parkinson’s disease

Research on Parkinson’s disease (PD) has made remarkable progress in recent decades, due largely to new genomic technologies, such as high throughput sequencing and microarray analyses. Since the discovery of a linkage of a missense mutation of the α-synuclein (αS) gene to a rare familial dominant form of PD in 1996, positional cloning and characterization of a number of familial PD risk factors have established a hypothesis that aggregation of αS may play a major role in the pathogenesis of PD. Furthermore, dozens of sensitizing alleles related to the disease have been identified by genome wide association studies (GWAS) and meta-GWAS, contributing to a better understanding of the pathological mechanisms of sporadic PD. Thus, the knowledge obtained from the association studies will be valuable for “the personal genome” of PD. Besides summarizing such progress, this paper focuses on the role of microRNAs in the field of PD research, since microRNAs might be promising as a biomarker and as a therapeutic reagent for PD. We further refer to a recent view that neurodegenerative diseases, including PD, coexist with metabolic disorders and are stimulated by type II diabetes, the most common disease among elderly populations. The development of genomic approaches may potentially contribute to therapeutic intervention for PD.  

Genetics of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, which increases susceptibility to fractures. BMD is a complex quantitative trait with normal distribution and seems to be genetically controlled (in 50–90% of the cases), according to studies on twins and families. Over the last 20 years, candidate gene approach and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with low BMD, osteoporosis, and osteoporotic fractures. These SNPs have been mapped close to or within genes including those encoding nuclear receptors and WNT-β-catenin signaling proteins. Understanding the genetics of osteoporosis will help identify novel candidates for diagnostic and therapeutic targets.  

Genomic aspects of age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major late-onset posterior eye disease that causes central vision to deteriorate among elderly populations. The predominant lesion of AMD is the macula, at the interface between the outer retina and the inner choroid. Recent advances in genetics have revealed that inflammatory and angiogenic pathways play critical roles in the pathophysiology of AMD. Genome-wide association studies have identified ARMS2/HTRA1 and CFH as major AMD susceptibility genes. Genetic studies for AMD will contribute to the prevention of central vision loss, the development of new treatment, and the maintenance of quality of vision for productive aging.  

SQSTM1 mutations – Bridging Paget disease of bone and ALS/FTLD

Paget disease of bone (PDB) is a skeletal disorder common in Western Europe but extremely rare in the Indian subcontinent and Far East. The condition has a strong genetic element with mutations affecting the SQSTM1 gene, encoding the p62 protein, frequently identified. Recently SQSTM1 mutations have also been reported in a small number of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), neurodegenerative disorders in which significant coexistence with PDB has not been previously recognized. Although several SQSTM1 mutations are common to both ALS/FTLD and PDB, many are ALS/FTLD-specific. The p62 protein regulates various cellular processes including NF-κB signaling and autophagy pathways. Here we consider how knowledge of the impact of PDB-associated SQSTM1 mutations (several of which are now known to be relevant for ALS/FTLD) on these pathways, as well as the locations of the mutations within the p62 primary sequence, may provide new insights into ALS/FTLD disease mechanisms.