Association testing in a linked region using large pedigrees

This report describes computer implementation of a scheme for joint linkage and association analysis. The model implemented in the computer package Mendel estimates both recombination and linkage-disequilibrium parameters and conducts likelihood-ratio tests for (1) linkage alone, (2) linkage and association simultaneously, and (3) association in the presence of linkage. Application of the method to data from Finnish pedigrees with familial combined hyperlipidemia illustrates its potential for identification of associated SNP haplotypes in the presence of linkage. For the test results to be valid, good estimates of haplotype frequencies must be used in the analysis.     

Linkage analysis of "necessary" disease loci versus "susceptibility" loci.

The association of some diseases with specific alleles of certain genetic markers has been difficult to explain. Several explanations have been proposed for the phenomenon of association, e.g. the existence of multiple, interacting genes (epistasis) or a disease locus in linkage disequilibrium with the marker locus. One might suppose that when marker data from families with associated diseases are analyzed for linkage, the existence of the association would assure that linkage will be found, and found at a tight recombination fraction. In fact, however, linkage analyses of some diseases associated with HLA, as well as diseases associated with alleles at other loci located throughout the genome, show significant evidence against linkage, and others show loose linkage, to the puzzlement of many researchers. In part, the puzzlement arises because linkage analysis is ideal for looking for loci that are necessary, even if not sufficient, for disease expression but may be much less useful for finding loci that are neither necessary nor sufficient for disease expression (so-called susceptibility loci). This work explores what happens when one looks for linkage to susceptibility loci. A susceptibility locus in this case means that the allele increases risk but is neither necessary nor sufficient for disease expression. It might be either an allele at the marker locus itself that is increasing susceptibility or an allele at a locus in linkage disequilibrium with the marker. This work uses computer simulation to examine how linkage analyses behave when confronted with data from such a model.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of epistasis on tests for linkage in self-pollinated species

Summary Tests for linkage based on covariances among relatives in self-pollinated species are usually based upon an assumption that epistasis is not important. This study was conducted to determine the impact of epistasis on, and to investigate the sensitivity of, such tests. Thirty covariances were calculated for each of ten non-epistatic and ten epistatic genetic models with varying probabilities of recombination between two coupling or repulsion loci. Each set of covariances was tested for linkage by comparing covariances calculated for the model with those expected for an additive-dominance model with no linkage. Results showed that the test for linkage is quite insensitive to the effects of linkage due to the disproportionate influence of inbreeding. Repulsion linkages should be easier to detect than coupling linkages for all models. Epistasis was found to mimic or counteract the effects of linkage. Tests for linkage based on covariances within a hierarchical mating design appear to be insensitive to linkage and may confuse the effects of linkage and epistasis.     

Examining the effect of linkage disequilibrium on multipoint linkage analysis

Most linkage programs assume linkage equilibrium among multiple linked markers. This assumption may lead to bias for tightly linked markers where strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) exists. We used simulated data from Genetic Analysis Workshop 14 to examine the possible effect of LD on multipoint linkage analysis. Single-nucleotide polymorphism packets from a non-disease-related region that was generated with LD were used for both model-free and parametric linkage analyses. Results showed that high LD among markers can induce false-positive evidence of linkage for affected sib-pair analysis when parental data are missing. Bias can be eliminated with parental data and can be reduced when additional markers not in LD are included in the analyses.     

Alignment of the PiGMaP and USDA linkage maps of porcine chromosomes 3 and 9

The European Pig Gene Mapping Project (PiGMaP) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) porcine linkage maps for chromosomes 3 and 9 have been aligned by typing three USDA microsatellites from chromosome 3 and five from chromosome 9 on the PiGMaP reference families. Using the crimap linkage analysis package, revised multipoint linkage maps were constructed for chromosome 3 and 9. Inclusion of these USDA markers in the multipoint analysis resulted in an increase in length of 47% and 33% respectively for these two PiGMaP linkage groups. This increase in size is mainly the result of extension of the ends of both linkage groups.     

The extent and distribution of linkage disequilibrium in a multi-hierarchic outbred canine pedigree

A canine integrated linkage-radiation map has been recently constructed by using microsatellite markers. This map, with a good coverage of the canine genome, allows for a genome-wide search for the extent and distribution of linkage disequilibrium derived from linkage and evolutionary forces. In this study, we genotyped an outbred pedigree between Labrador retriever and Greyhound breeds with a set of microsatellite markers (240) from the canine linkage map. Linkage disequilibrium was measured between all syntenic and nonsyntenic marker pairs. Analysis of syntenic pairs revealed a significant correlation (–0.229, P < 0.001) between linkage disequilibrium and genetic distance (log transformed). Significant linkage disequilibria were observed more frequently between syntenic pairs spaced <40 cM than those paced >40 cM. There is a clear trend for linkage disequilibrium to decline with marker distance. From our results, a genome-wide screen with markers at low to moderate density (1–2 per 10 cM) should take full advantage of linkage disequilibrium for quantitative trait locus mapping in dogs. This study supports the appropriateness of linkage disequilibrium analysis to detect and map quantitative trait loci underlying complex traits in dogs.     

Assessing whether an allele can account in part for a linkage signal: the Genotype-IBD Sharing Test (GIST)

To fine map genes, investigators often test for disease-marker association in chromosomal regions with evidence for linkage. Given a marker allele tentatively associated with disease, one would ask if this allele, or one in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with it, could account in part for the observed linkage signal. This question can be addressed by determining if families selected on the basis of the presence of the tentatively associated allele show stronger evidence of linkage as measured by increased allele sharing identical by descent (IBD) by affected family members. However, common selection strategies can be biased for or against linkage in the marker region, even given no disease-marker association. We define unbiased selection schemes and extend the definition to allow weighted selection on the basis of all genotyped family members. For affected-sibship data, we describe three genotype-based weight variables, corresponding to dominant, recessive, and additive models. We then introduce a test for association of a family weight variable with excess IBD sharing. This test allows us to determine if the linkage signal in a region can be attributed in part to the presence of a marker allele, either because of direct involvement in disease etiology or because of LD with a predisposing genetic variant. For samples of 500 affected sib pairs, the tests are powerful in detection of genotype-IBD sharing association, even for disease models with sib relative risk as low as lambda S=1.1, or when evidence for linkage is absent because of sampling variation. This makes our method a new tool for detecting linkage as well as association, especially in regions harboring a candidate gene. We have implemented these methods in the software package GIST (Genotype-IBD Sharing Test).     

A microsatellite linkage map of the blacklip abalone, Haliotis rubra

There is considerable scope for genetic improvement of cultured blacklip abalone Haliotis rubra in Australia using molecular marker-assisted, selective-breeding practices. Such improvement is dependent on the availability of primary genetic resources, such as a genetic linkage map. This study presents a first-generation linkage map of H. rubra, containing 122 microsatellite markers typed in a single full-sib family. These loci mapped to 17 and 20 linkage groups for the male and female respectively, and when aligned, the consensus map represented 18 linkage groups. The male linkage map contained 102 markers (one unlinked) covering 621 cM with an average intermarker spacing of 7.3 cM, and the female map contained 98 markers (eight unlinked) covering 766 cM with an average intermarker spacing of 9.8 cM. Analysis of markers informative in both parents showed a significantly higher recombination rate in the female parent, with an average male-to-female recombination ratio of 1:1.45 between linked pairs of markers. This linkage map represents a significant advancement in the genetic resource available for H. rubra and provides a framework for future quantitative trait loci mapping and eventual implementation of marker-assisted selection.     

Estimation of segregation and linkage parameters in simulated data. II. Simultaneous estimation with one linked marker.

This study examined the method of simultaneous estimation of recombination frequency and parameters for a qualitative trait locus and compared the results with those of standard methods of linkage analysis. With both approaches we were able to detect linkage of an incompletely penetrant qualitative trait to highly polymorphic markers with recombination frequencies in the range of .00-.05. Our results suggest that detecting linkage at larger recombination frequencies may require larger data sets or large high-density families. When applied to all families without regard to informativeness of the family structure for linkage, analyses of simulated data could detect no advantage of simultaneous estimation over more traditional and much less time-consuming methods, either in detecting linkage, estimating frequency, refining estimates of parameters for the qualitative trait locus, or avoiding false evidence for linkage. However, the method of sampling affected results.     

林木全同胞群体的多位点连锁分析

多位点连锁分析是构建人类以及动植物的遗传连锁图谱的关键步骤之一。但是由于林木遗传背景的复杂性,多位点连锁分析在林木的全同胞群体中还没有得到应用．本文将多位点连锁分析应用到林木的F1代全同胞群体中．对于全同胞群体的任意分离比的两个位点,给出了在不同的连锁相下从一个位点到另一个位点的转移概率矩阵．对于给定的一列标记位点,考虑了不同分离比位点以及两位点间的连锁相信息,采用隐马尔可夫链模型计算极大似然函数和相邻位点间的重组率．本文的方法有助于构建完整的高密度的林木遗传连锁图谱．     

Linkage disequilibrium and linkage information from one-child families.

In linkage analysis a single-child family is usually considered to be completely uninformative. This article shows that such a family can provide information on linkage disequilibrium, even if it provides no information on linkage equilibrium. A transition matrix consisting of the recombination fraction and the phase proportion is proposed to study the genetic transmission from a pair of parents to their single child. The information about linkage for a single-child family is shown to be confounded by the phase proportion. This explains why such a family used to be considered uninformative under the assumption of linkage equilibrium. By reparametrizing the recombination fraction and the phase proportion into one parameter, it is demonstrated that extracting information on linkage disequilibrium is feasible. The study of power of the testing method proposed here is carried out by simulation.     

The locus for the medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene on chromosome 1 is highly polymorphic

The gene for medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (gene symbol ACADM; enzyme symbol MCAD) has been characterized for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and mapped by linkage analysis to 4.2 cM from D1S2 and 11.7 cM from PGM1. The three RFLP systems described in detail show significant linkage disequilibrium but define four haplotypes with a PIC of 0.58. This makes ACADM informative for linkage mapping and for clinical genetic studies. By linkage studies, the orientation of these three loci relative to the centromere places ACADM most proximal. This is in direct conflict with the regional assignments of ACADM to 1p31 by in situ hybridization and of PGM1 to 1p22.1 by somatic cell studies. We suggest that this somatic cell localization of PGM1 may be incorrect.     

Stable linkage disequilibrium without epistasis in subdivided populations

In a large random mating population stable linkage disequilibrium occurs only when there is epistasis. However if a population is divided into a number of subpopulations among which migration occurs, stable linkage disequilibrium in each subpopulation may be produced without epistasis. In the case of two subpopulations a necessary condition for linkage equilibrium in the absence of epistasis is that at least at one of the two loci under consideration the gene frequency must be the same for the two populations. This condition is rather severe and any violation of this will lead to stable linkage disequilibrium. A similar conclusion can be made with more than two populations. In general the presence of linkage disequilibrium does not necessarily imply the existence of epistasis even in equilibrium populations.     

Localization of the Krabbe disease gene (GALC) on chromosome 14 by multipoint linkage analysis.

The gene responsible for Krabbe disease, an autosomal recessive disorder caused by deficiency of galactocerebrosidase (GALC), was localized by multipoint linkage analysis on chromosome 14. Eight mapped dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms were tested for linkage to GALC. Two-point linkage analysis demonstrated close linkage of GALC and D14S48, with Z = 13.69 at theta = 0. Multipoint analysis yielded strong support for this finding, with maximum likelihood for GALC located within 1 cM of D14S48. This analysis also identified markers that clearly flank the GALC locus, as the map order of D14S53-GALC-D14S45 is favored by odds greater than 10(6):1. Additional support for close linkage of GALC and D14S48 comes from the apparent linkage disequilibrium between these two loci in a consanguineous Druze community in Israel. These data localize GALC to 14q24.3-q32.1.     

Characterization of a minimal screening set of 172 microsatellite markers for genome-wide screens of the canine genome

We have characterized a subset of 172 microsatellite markers from the canine map, termed 'Minimal Screening Set 1' (Canine MSS-1), which we propose be used for initial genome-wide genetic linkage studies. Three hierarchical criteria were used to select markers from the current meiotic linkage and radiation hybrid maps for MSS-1. Markers were selected that (1) provided as complete coverage as possible of the canine genome, (2) were highly informative, and (3) have been ordered in linkage groups with a high degree of statistical support. This resulting screening set spans all reported meiotic linkage and RH groups, leaving only 10 known gaps > or = 20 cM. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) value of markers tested is 0.74. Coverage estimates suggest 42% of the genome is within 5 cM of at least one marker in the minimal screening set, 77% of the genome is within 10 cM. This minimal mapping set therefore provides an efficient and cost effective way to begin screening pedigrees of interest for genetic linkage.     

Transmission test for linkage disequilibrium: the insulin gene region and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).

A population association has consistently been observed between insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and the "class 1" alleles of the region of tandem-repeat DNA (5'' flanking polymorphism [5''FP]) adjacent to the insulin gene on chromosome 11p. This finding suggests that the insulin gene region contains a gene or genes contributing to IDDM susceptibility. However, several studies that have sought to show linkage with IDDM by testing for cosegregation in affected sib pairs have failed to find evidence for linkage. As means for identifying genes for complex diseases, both the association and the affected-sib-pairs approaches have limitations. It is well known that population association between a disease and a genetic marker can arise as an artifact of population structure, even in the absence of linkage. On the other hand, linkage studies with modest numbers of affected sib pairs may fail to detect linkage, especially if there is linkage heterogeneity. We consider an alternative method to test for linkage with a genetic marker when population association has been found. Using data from families with at least one affected child, we evaluate the transmission of the associated marker allele from a heterozygous parent to an affected offspring. This approach has been used by several investigators, but the statistical properties of the method as a test for linkage have not been investigated. In the present paper we describe the statistical basis for this "transmission test for linkage disequilibrium" (transmission/disequilibrium test [TDT]). We then show the relationship of this test to tests of cosegregation that are based on the proportion of haplotypes or genes identical by descent in affected sibs. The TDT provides strong evidence for linkage between the 5''FP and susceptibility to IDDM. The conclusions from this analysis apply in general to the study of disease associations, where genetic markers are usually closely linked to candidate genes. When a disease is found to be associated with such a marker, the TDT may detect linkage even when haplotype-sharing tests do not.     

Disequilibrium Pattern Analysis. I. Theory

We have developed a method, disequilibrium pattern analysis, for examining the disequilibrium distribution of the entire array of two locus multiallelic haplotypes in a population. It is shown that a selected haplotype will produce a distinct pattern of linkage disequilibrium values for all generations while the selection is acting. This pattern will also presumably be maintained for many generations after the selection event, until the disequilibrium pattern is eventually broken down by genetic drift and recombination. Related haplotypes, sharing an allele with a selected haplotype, assume a value of linkage disequilibrium proportional to the frequency of the unshared allele and have a single negative value of the normalized linkage disequilibrium. The analysis assumes zero linkage disequilibrium for all allelic combinations initially. The same basic results continue to apply if the selection involves a new mutant, the occurrence of which creates linkage disequilibrium for some haplotypes. The disequilibrium pattern predicted under selection is robust with respect to the influence of migration and random genetic drift. This method is applicable to population data having linked polymorphic loci including that determined from protein or DNA sequencing.     

Linkage analysis: principles and methods for the analysis of human quantitative traits.

Currently, mapping genes for complex human traits relies on two complementary approaches, linkage and association analyses. Both suffer from several methodological and theoretical limitations, which can considerably increase the type-1 error rate and reduce the power to map human quantitative trait loci (QTL). This review focuses on linkage methods for QTL mapping. It summarizes the most common linkage statistics used, namely Haseman-Elston-based methods, variance components, and statistics that condition on trait values. Methods developed more recently that accommodate the X-chromosome, parental imprinting and allelic association in linkage analysis are also summarized. The type-I error rate and power of these methods are discussed. Finally, rough guidelines are provided to help guide the choice of linkage statistics.     

The Genetics of DROSOPHILA SUBOBSCURA Populations. IX. Studies on Linkage Disequilibrium in Four Natural Populations

Gametic frequencies were obtained in four natural populations of D. sub-obscura by extracting wild chromosomes and subsequently analyzing them for inversions and allozymes. The genes Lap and Pept-1, both located within the same inversions of chromosome O, were found in striking nonrandom associations with them of the same kind and degree in all populations studied. On the contrary, the gene Acph, also located within the previously mentioned inversions, was found in linkage disequilibrium with them only in two populations and of opposite directions. This is also the case for the genes Est-9 and Hk, both located within chromosome E inversions. While the gene Est-9 was in strong linkage disequilibrium with the inversions, of the same kind and degree in all populations studied, Hk was found to be in linkage equilibrium. Allele frequencies for the 29 genes studied do not show geographical variation except for the genes Lap, Pept-1 and Est-9, the ones found in linkage disequilibria with the geographically varying gene arrangements. Although mechanical or historical explanations for these equilibria cannot be ruled out, these data cannot be explained satisfactorily by the "middle gene explanation," which states that loci displaying such linkage disequilibria are the ones located near the break points of inversions, while the ones displaying linkage equilibria with them are located in the middle of them. There is no evidence for consistent linkage disequilibria between pairs of loci, except for the closely linked genes of the complex locus, Est-9. This would imply, if it is not a peculiarity of the Est-9 complex, that the linkage disequilibria are found only between very closely linked loci or that, for less closely linked genes, the associations are too weak to be detected by the usual samples sizes.     

Construction of a genetic linkage map in Fenneropenaeus chinensis using SNP markers

Genetic linkage maps of Fenneropenaeus chinensis were constructed using a “double pseudo-testcross” strategy with 200 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers. This study represents the first SNP genetic linkage map for F. chinensis. The parents and F ₁ progeny of 100 individuals were used as mapping populations. 21 genetic linkage groups in the male and female maps were identified. The male linkage map was composed of 115 loci and spanned 879.7 cM, with an average intermarker spacing of 9.4 cM, while the female map was composed of 119 loci and spanned 876.2 cM, with an average intermarker spacing of 8.9 cM. The estimated coverage of the linkage maps was 51.94% for the male and 53.77% for the female, based on two estimates of genome length. The integrated map contains 180 markers distributed in 16 linkage groups, and spans 899.3 cM with an average marker interval of 5.2 cM. This SNP genetic map lays the foundation for future shrimp genomics and genetic breeding studies, especially the discovery of gene or regions for economically important traits in Chinese shrimp.