Variants in the CNR1 and the FAAH Genes and Adiposity Traits in the Community

Pharmacologic blockade of the endocannabinoid receptor 1 leads to weight loss and an improved metabolic risk profile in overweight and obese individuals. We hypothesize that common genetic variants in the CNR1 (encoding endocannabinoid receptor 1) and FAAH genes (encoding fatty acid amide hydrolase, a key enzyme hydrolyzing endocannabinoids) are associated with adiposity traits. We genotyped 18 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CNR1 gene and 9 SNPs in the FAAH gene in 2,415 Framingham Offspring Study participants (mean age 61 ± 10 years; 52.6% women; mean BMI 28.2 ± 5.4 kg/m²; 30.3% obese) and studied them for association with cross‐sectional and longitudinal measures of adiposity (BMI, waist circumference, change over time in BMI and waist circumference, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue) using linear mixed‐effect models. The selected SNPs captured 85% (r² = 0.8) of the common variation (minor allele frequency >5%) at the CNR1 locus and 96% (r² = 0.8) of the common variation at the FAAH locus (defined as the genomic segment containing the gene +20 kb upstream and +10 kb downstream). After correction for multiple testing, none of the SNPs in the CNR1 gene or in the FAAH gene displayed statistical evidence for association with BMI, waist circumference, and visceral adipose tissue or subcutaneous adipose tissue (all P > 0.18). Despite comprehensive SNP mapping across the genes and their regulatory regions in a large unselected sample, we failed to find evidence for an association of common variants in the CNR1 and FAAH genes with measures of adiposity in our community‐based sample.     

Gene-by-Temperature Interactions and Candidate Plasticity Genes for Morphological Traits in Drosophila melanogaster

Understanding the genetic architecture of any quantitative trait requires identifying the genes involved in its expression in different environmental conditions. This goal can be achieved by mutagenesis screens in genetically tractable model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster. Temperature during ontogenesis is an important environmental factor affecting development and phenotypic variation in holometabolous insects. In spite of the importance of phenotypic plasticity and genotype by environment interaction (GEI) for fitness related traits, its genetic basis has remained elusive. In this context, we analyzed five different adult morphological traits (face width, head width, thorax length, wing size and wing shape) in 42 co-isogenic single P-element insertional lines of Drosophila melanogaster raised at 17°C and 25°C. Our analyses showed that all lines differed from the control for at least one trait in males or females at either temperature. However, no line showed those differences for all traits in both sexes and temperatures simultaneously. In this sense, the most pleiotropic candidate genes were CG34460, Lsd-2 and Spn. Our analyses also revealed extensive genetic variation for all the characters mostly indicated by strong GEIs. Further, our results indicate that GEIs were predominantly explained by changes in ranking order in all cases suggesting that a moderate number of genes are involved in the expression of each character at both temperatures. Most lines displayed a plastic response for at least one trait in either sex. In this regard, P-element insertions affecting plasticity of a large number of traits were associated to the candidate genes Btk29A, CG43340, Drak and jim. Further studies will help to elucidate the relevance of these genes on the morphogenesis of different body structures in natural populations of D. melanogaster.     

Mutation Burden of Rare Variants in Schizophrenia Candidate Genes

Background

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a very heterogeneous disease that affects approximately 1% of the general population. Recently, the genetic complexity thought to underlie this condition was further supported by three independent studies that identified an increased number of damaging de novo mutations DNM in different SCZ probands. While these three reports support the implication of DNM in the pathogenesis of SCZ, the absence of overlap in the genes identified suggests that the number of genes involved in SCZ is likely to be very large; a notion that has been supported by the moderate success of Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS).

Methods

To further examine the genetic heterogeneity of this disease, we resequenced 62 genes that were found to have a DNM in SCZ patients, and 40 genes that encode for proteins known to interact with the products of the genes with DNM, in a cohort of 235 SCZ cases and 233 controls.

Results

We found an enrichment of private nonsense mutations amongst schizophrenia patients. Using a kernel association method, we were able to assess for association for different sets. Although our power of detection was limited, we observed an increased mutation burden in the genes that have DNM.     

Bioinformatics-Based Identification of Candidate Genes from QTLs Associated with Cell Wall Traits in Populus

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) studies are an integral part of plant research and are used to characterize the genetic basis of phenotypic variation observed in structured populations and inform marker-assisted breeding efforts. These QTL intervals can span large physical regions on a chromosome comprising hundreds of genes, thereby hampering candidate gene identification. Genome history, evolution, and expression evidence can be used to narrow the genes in the interval to a smaller list that is manageable for detailed downstream functional genomics characterization. Our primary motivation for the present study was to address the need for a research methodology that identifies candidate genes within a broad QTL interval. Here we present a bioinformatics-based approach for subdividing candidate genes within QTL intervals into alternate groups of high probability candidates. Application of this approach in the context of studying cell wall traits, specifically lignin content and S/G ratios of stem and root in Populus plants, resulted in manageable sets of genes of both known and putative cell wall biosynthetic function. These results provide a roadmap for future experimental work leading to identification of new genes controlling cell wall recalcitrance and, ultimately, in the utility of plant biomass as an energy feedstock.     

水稻抽穗期QTL定位及候选基因分析

水稻(Oryza sativa)抽穗期是决定产量和品质的重要性状,在育种、制种及引种驯化过程中发挥重要作用。将热研2号(O. sativa subsp. japonica cv.‘Nekken2’)和华占(O. sativa subsp. indica cv.‘HZ’)杂交获得F₁代,经连续多代自交得到120个重组自交系(RILs)群体。在常规水肥管理条件下,对120个RILs株系的抽穗时间进行统计分析。利用已构建好的高密度遗传图谱,对水稻抽穗期相关性状进行QTL定位分析,结果共检测到11个QTLs,分别位于第1、3、4、5、6、8和12号染色体上,其中1个LOD值高达5.75。通过分析QTLs区间内的候选基因,筛选出可能影响两亲本抽穗期的相关基因,并利用实时定量PCR进行基因表达量分析,发现LOC＿Os03g03070、LOC＿Os03g50310、LOC＿Os03g55389、LOC＿Os04g55510、LOC＿Os08g07740和LOC＿Os08g01670共6个基因在双亲间的表达量差异显著,其中LOC＿Os03g50310在Nekken2中的表达量比H...     

Re-Sequencing Data for Refining Candidate Genes and Polymorphisms in QTL Regions Affecting Adiposity in Chicken

In this study, we propose an approach aiming at fine-mapping adiposity QTL in chicken, integrating whole genome re-sequencing data. First, two QTL regions for adiposity were identified by performing a classical linkage analysis on 1362 offspring in 11 sire families obtained by crossing two meat-type chicken lines divergently selected for abdominal fat weight. Those regions, located on chromosome 7 and 19, contained a total of 77 and 84 genes, respectively. Then, SNPs and indels in these regions were identified by re-sequencing sires. Considering issues related to polymorphism annotations for regulatory regions, we focused on the 120 and 104 polymorphisms having an impact on protein sequence, and located in coding regions of 35 and 42 genes situated in the two QTL regions. Subsequently, a filter was applied on SNPs considering their potential impact on the protein function based on conservation criteria. For the two regions, we identified 42 and 34 functional polymorphisms carried by 18 and 24 genes, and likely to deeply impact protein, including 3 coding indels and 4 nonsense SNPs. Finally, using gene functional annotation, a short list of 17 and 4 polymorphisms in 6 and 4 functional genes has been defined. Even if we cannot exclude that the causal polymorphisms may be located in regulatory regions, this strategy gives a complete overview of the candidate polymorphisms in coding regions and prioritize them on conservation- and functional-based arguments.     

Meta-Analysis of Flowering-Related Traits and Mining of Candidate Genes in Maize

Maize flowering is an important agronomic character, which is controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTL). Over the years, a large number of flowering-related QTL have been found in maize and exist in public databases. However, combining these data, re-analyzing and mining candidate loci and fine mapping of flowering-related traits to reduce confidence intervals has become a hot issue in maize. In this study, the QTL of 6 important agronomic traits of maize flowering were collected from 15 published articles, including flowering period (DA), Days to tasseling (DTT), Days to silking (DS), Days to pollen shedding (DTP), anthesis-silking interval (ASI) and the photosensitive (PS). Through meta-analysis, 622 QTL were integrated into 26 meta-QTLs (MQTL). Finally, the candidate genes related to maize flowering (Gene IDs: ZM00001D005791, ZM00001D019045, ZM00001D050697, ZM00001D011139) were identified by Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and hierarchical cluster analysis of expression profile. Based on the results of this study, the genetic characteristics of maize flowering traits will be further analyzed, which is of great significance to guide the improvement of important agronomic characters and improve the efficiency of breeding.     

Association of FTO Gene Variants With Adiposity in African‐American Adolescents

The prevalence of obesity continues to increase significantly, with the largest rise in the African‐American adolescents. Genetic contributions to obesity are being identified with the advent of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). Specifically, variants of the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene have been associated with obesity in populations of European descent. The studies in African Americans have been inconclusive. To further evaluate the association of the FTO gene and adiposity in African Americans, we genotyped 47 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including seven SNPs previously reported to be significant in the literature in a cohort consisting of 561 non‐Hispanic white and 497 African‐American individuals. Analysis of our data showed 17 SNPs to be associated with BMI Z‐score (BMI‐Z) in our study population. The strongest association was found in the African Americans. The most significant SNP was rs8057044, which was associated with BMI‐Z in the African Americans (P = 0.00054). SNP rs9939609 was found to be significant in the non‐Hispanic white population (P = 0.028). Our data confirm the association between FTO and adiposity suggesting that FTO is a childhood obesity susceptibility gene. Our data also identify a novel SNP of the FTO gene (rs8057044) that is associated with measures of adiposity in the African‐American population.     

Association between Variants in Atopy-Related Immunologic Candidate Genes and Pancreatic Cancer Risk

BackgroundMany epidemiology studies report that atopic conditions such as allergies are associated with reduced pancreas cancer risk. The reason for this relationship is not yet understood. This is the first study to comprehensively evaluate the association between variants in atopy-related candidate genes and pancreatic cancer risk.MethodsA population-based case-control study of pancreas cancer cases diagnosed during 2011-2012 (via Ontario Cancer Registry), and controls recruited using random digit dialing utilized DNA from 179 cases and 566 controls. Following an exhaustive literature review, SNPs in 180 candidate genes were pre-screened using dbGaP pancreas cancer GWAS data; 147 SNPs in 56 allergy-related immunologic genes were retained and genotyped. Logistic regression was used to estimate age-adjusted odd ratio (AOR) for each variant and false discovery rate was used to adjust Wald p-values for multiple testing. Subsequently, a risk allele score was derived based on statistically significant variants.Results18 SNPs in 14 candidate genes (CSF2, DENND1B, DPP10, FLG, IL13, IL13RA2, LRP1B, NOD1, NPSR1, ORMDL3, RORA, STAT4, TLR6, TRA) were significantly associated with pancreas cancer risk. After adjustment for multiple comparisons, two LRP1B SNPs remained statistically significant; for example, LRP1B rs1449477 (AA vs. CC: AOR=0.37, 95% CI: 0.22-0.62; p (adjusted)=0.04). Furthermore, the risk allele score was associated with a significant reduction in pancreas cancer risk (p=0.0007).ConclusionsPreliminary findings suggest certain atopy-related variants may be associated with pancreas cancer risk. Further studies are needed to replicate this, and to elucidate the biology behind the growing body of epidemiologic evidence suggesting allergies may reduce pancreatic cancer risk.     

小麦芒基因定位及其与农艺性状的相关性分析

芒是位于植物穗上的针状结构,广泛存在于禾本科作物水稻、小麦、高粱和大麦中,不同作物芒的结构存在差异.小麦中,芒对提高穗光合效率和产量、防鸟、抗虫及抗逆有重要作用.前人已经对抑制小麦芒发育的主要基因进行了定位和遗传分析,4个主效基因中仅有B1(Tipped1)基因被克隆.本研究基于人工群体云南3号和偃展1号BC3F6群体...     

Identification of Genetic Loci Associated with Quality Traits in Almond via Association Mapping

To design an appropriate association study, we need to understand population structure and the structure of linkage disequilibrium within and among populations as well as in different regions of the genome in an organism. In this study, we have used a total of 98 almond accessions, from five continents located and maintained at the Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA; Spain), and 40 microsatellite markers. Population structure analysis performed in ‘Structure’ grouped the accessions into two principal groups; the Mediterranean (Western-Europe) and the non-Mediterranean, with K = 3, being the best fit for our data. There was a strong subpopulation structure with linkage disequilibrium decaying with increasing genetic distance resulting in lower levels of linkage disequilibrium between more distant markers. A significant impact of population structure on linkage disequilibrium in the almond cultivar groups was observed. The mean r² value for all intra-chromosomal loci pairs was 0.040, whereas, the r² for the inter-chromosomal loci pairs was 0.036. For analysis of association between the markers and phenotypic traits, five models comprising both general linear models and mixed linear models were selected to test the marker trait associations. The mixed linear model (MLM) approach using co-ancestry values from population structure and kinship estimates (K model) as covariates identified a maximum of 16 significant associations for chemical traits and 12 for physical traits. This study reports for the first time the use of association mapping for determining marker-locus trait associations in a world-wide almond germplasm collection. It is likely that association mapping will have the most immediate and largest impact on the tier of crops such as almond with the greatest economic value.     

猪主要经济性状候选基因的研究进展

随着人类基因组计划的完成和动物基因组计划的进行,许多控制动物经济性状的主基因逐渐被发现,并显示出巨大的应用前景。本文概述了影响猪繁殖、肉质、生长发育等主要经济性状的主基因的基因大小、基因定位和基因效应等,对主基因的研究在动物遗传育种科学发展中的意义也作了一些阐述。 Abstract:With the accomplishment of human genome project and the development of animal genome project,many major genes affecting animal economic traits were gradually detected,and they show great application prospect.Major genes affecting reproductive traits,meat quality traits,growing and developing traits of pig are summarized from their size,location and effect.In addition,the meaning of major gene in the improvement of animal breeding and genetics is also discussed.     

复杂疾病基因定位策略与肿瘤易感基因鉴定

对于不存在某单一基因位点经典的孟德尔显性或隐性遗传模式的疾病,称为复杂疾病,肿瘤是最常见的类型之一 . 目前,以连锁和相关分析为基础的功能克隆、功能候选克隆、定位克隆、定位候选克隆、系统生物学等复杂疾病易感基因定位策略逐渐发展起来 . 其中,系统生物学策略由于整合了从 DNA 到蛋白质的各个层面的信息,对复杂疾病基因调控网络做出了良好诠释,使其成为最有潜力的方法之一 . 目前,虽然已有近 100 种肿瘤 / 遗传性癌综合症的易感基因被鉴定出来,但未来的复杂疾病易感基因定位工作仍充满了挑战 .