A genomewide search finds major susceptibility loci for gallbladder disease on chromosome 1 in Mexican Americans

Gallbladder disease (GBD) is one of the major digestive diseases. Its risk factors include age, sex, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MS). The prevalence of GBD is high in minority populations, such as Native and Mexican Americans. Ethnic differences, familial aggregation of GBD, and the identification of susceptibility loci for gallstone disease by use of animal models suggest genetic influences on GBD. However, the major susceptibility loci for GBD in human populations have not been identified. Using ultrasound-based information on GBD occurrence and a 10-cM gene map, we performed multipoint variance-components analysis to localize susceptibility loci for GBD. Phenotypic and genotypic data from 715 individuals in 39 low-income Mexican American families participating in the San Antonio Family Diabetes/Gallbladder Study were used. Two GBD phenotypes were defined for the analyses: (1) clinical or symptomatic GBD, the cases of cholecystectomies due to stones confirmed by ultrasound, and (2) total GBD, the clinical GBD cases plus the stone carriers newly diagnosed by ultrasound. With use of the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, five MS risk factors were defined: increased waist circumference, hypertriglyceredemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension, and high fasting glucose. The MS risk-factor score (range 0-5) for a given individual was used as a single, composite covariate in the genetic analyses. After accounting for the effects of age, sex, and MS risk-factor score, we found stronger linkage signals for the symptomatic GBD phenotype. The highest LOD scores (3.7 and 3.5) occurred on chromosome 1p between markers D1S1597 and D1S407 (1p36.21) and near marker D1S255 (1p34.3), respectively. Other genetic locations (chromosomes 2p, 3q, 4p, 8p, 9p, 10p, and 16q) across the genome exhibited some evidence of linkage (LOD >or=1.2) to symptomatic GBD. Some of these chromosomal regions corresponded with the genetic locations of Lith loci, which influence gallstone formation in mouse models. In conclusion, we found significant evidence of major genetic determinants of symptomatic GBD on chromosome 1p in Mexican Americans.     

Genetic characterization and fine mapping of susceptibility loci for sarcoidosis in African Americans on chromosome 5

Sarcoidosis, a systemic granulomatous disease, likely results from both environmental agents and genetic susceptibility. Sarcoidosis is more prevalent in women and, in the United States, African Americans are both more commonly and more severely affected than Caucasians. We report a follow up of the first genome scan for sarcoidosis susceptibility genes in African Americans. Both the genome scan and the present study comprise 229 African American nuclear families ascertained through two or more sibs with sarcoidosis. Regions studied included those which reached a significance in the genome scan of 0.01 (2p25, 5q11, 5q35, 9q34, 11p15 and 20q13), 0.05 (3p25 and 5p15–13) or which replicated previous findings (3p14–11). We performed genotyping with additional markers in the same families used in the genome scan. We examined multi-locus models for epistasis and performed model-based linkage analysis on subsets of the most linked families to characterize the underlying genetic model. The strongest signal was at marker D5S407 (P=0.005) on 5q11.2, using both full and half sibling pairs. Our results support, in an African American population, a sarcoidosis susceptibility gene on chromosome 5q11.2, and a gene protective for sarcoidosis on 5p15.2. These fine mapping results further prioritize the importance of candidate regions on chromosomes 2p25, 3p25, 5q35, 9q34, 11p15 and 20q13 for African Americans. Additionally, our results suggest joint action of the effects of putative genes on chromosome 3p14–11 and 5p15.2. We conclude that multiple susceptibility loci for sarcoidosis exist in African Americans and that some may have interdependent effects on disease pathogenesis.     

Prostate cancer susceptibility Loci identified on chromosome 12 in African Americans

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a complex disease that disproportionately affects African Americans and other individuals of African descent. A number of regions across the genome have been associated to PCa, most of them with moderate effects. A few studies have reported chromosomal changes on 12p and 12q that occur during the onset and development of PCa but to date no consistent association of the disease with chromosome 12 polymorphic variation has been identified. In order to unravel genetic risk factors that underlie PCa health disparities we investigated chromosome 12 using ancestry informative markers (AIMs), which allow us to distinguish genomic regions of European or West African origin, and tested them for association with PCa. Additional SNPs were genotyped in those areas where significant signals of association were detected. The strongest signal was discovered at the SNP rs12827748, located upstream of the PAWR gene, a tumor suppressor, which is amply expressed in the prostate. The most frequent allele in Europeans was the risk allele among African Americans. We also examined vitamin D related genes, VDR and CYP27B1, and found a significant association of PCa with the TaqI polymorphism (rs731236) in the former. Although our results warrant further investigation we have uncovered a genetic susceptibility factor for PCa in a likely candidate by means of an approach that takes advantage of the differential contribution of parental groups to an admixed population.     

Characterizing genetic risk at known prostate cancer susceptibility loci in African Americans

GWAS of prostate cancer have been remarkably successful in revealing common genetic variants and novel biological pathways that are linked with its etiology. A more complete understanding of inherited susceptibility to prostate cancer in the general population will come from continuing such discovery efforts and from testing known risk alleles in diverse racial and ethnic groups. In this large study of prostate cancer in African American men (3,425 prostate cancer cases and 3,290 controls), we tested 49 risk variants located in 28 genomic regions identified through GWAS in men of European and Asian descent, and we replicated associations (at p≤0.05) with roughly half of these markers. Through fine-mapping, we identified nearby markers in many regions that better define associations in African Americans. At 8q24, we found 9 variants (p≤6×10⁻⁴) that best capture risk of prostate cancer in African Americans, many of which are more common in men of African than European descent. The markers found to be associated with risk at each locus improved risk modeling in African Americans (per allele OR = 1.17) over the alleles reported in the original GWAS (OR = 1.08). In summary, in this detailed analysis of the prostate cancer risk loci reported from GWAS, we have validated and improved upon markers of risk in some regions that better define the association with prostate cancer in African Americans. Our findings with variants at 8q24 also reinforce the importance of this region as a major risk locus for prostate cancer in men of African ancestry.     

A genomewide screen for autism-spectrum disorders: evidence for a major susceptibility locus on chromosome 3q25-27

To identify genetic loci for autism-spectrum disorders, we have performed a two-stage genomewide scan in 38 Finnish families. The detailed clinical examination of all family members revealed infantile autism, but also Asperger syndrome (AS) and developmental dysphasia, in the same set of families. The most significant evidence for linkage was found on chromosome 3q25-27, with a maximum two-point LOD score of 4.31 (Z(max )(dom)) for D3S3037, using infantile autism and AS as an affection status. Six markers flanking over a 5-cM region on 3q gave Z(max dom) >3, and a maximum parametric multipoint LOD score (MLS) of 4.81 was obtained in the vicinity of D3S3715 and D3S3037. Association, linkage disequilibrium, and haplotype analyses provided some evidence for shared ancestor alleles on this chromosomal region among affected individuals, especially in the regional subisolate. Additional potential susceptibility loci with two-point LOD scores >2 were observed on chromosomes 1q21-22 and 7q. The region on 1q21-22 overlaps with the previously reported candidate region for infantile autism and schizophrenia, whereas the region on chromosome 7q provided evidence for linkage 58 cM distally from the previously described autism susceptibility locus (AUTS1).     

A new essential hypertension susceptibility locus on chromosome 2p24-p25, detected by genomewide search

Essential hypertension (EH) is a complex disorder that results from the interaction of a number of susceptibility genes and environmental factors. We studied an isolated Sardinian village (Talana) in which the prevalence of hypertension is comparable to that in most Western populations. Talana exhibits features, such as slow demographic growth, high inbreeding, a low number of founders, stable lifestyle and culture, and accurate genealogical records, that make it suitable for the study of complex disorders. Clinical assessment of the entire adult population (N= approximately 1,000) identified approximately 100 hypertensive subjects. For our study, we selected the individuals with the most-severe EH (i.e., diastolic blood pressure >100 mm Hg), belonging to a single deep-rooted pedigree (12 generations), whose common ancestors lived in the 17th century. We performed a three-stage genomewide search using 36 affected individuals, by means of parametric linkage and allele-sharing approaches. LOD scores >1 were observed on chromosomes 1, 2, 13, 15, 17, and 19 (stage I). The most striking result was found in a 7.57-cM region on chromosome 2p24-p25. All five nonparametric linkage statistics estimated by the SimWalk2 program lie above the significance threshold of P<.008 for the whole region. Similar significance was obtained for 2p24-25 when parametric linkage (LOD score 1.99) and linkage disequilibrium mapping (P=.00006) were used, suggesting that a hypertension-susceptibility locus is located between D2S2278 and D2S168. This finding is strengthened by a recent report of linkage with marker D2S168 in a hypertensive sib-pair sample from China.     

Identifying susceptibility loci for nicotine dependence: 2008 update based on recent genome-wide linkage analyses

Tobacco smoking is a severe health hazard worldwide, as nearly one-third of the global adult population smokes tobacco products. This high prevalence highlights the importance of studying the genetic determinants of nicotine dependence (ND). To identify such genetic factors, more than 20 genome-wide linkage studies have been conducted across different populations using a variety of ND assessment approaches, including smoking quantity (SQ), Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI), Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), ever-smoking, habitual smoking, or maximum number of cigarettes smoked in a 24-h period. This review provides a critical update on the progress during the years since our last review, published in 2004, in identifying susceptibility loci for ND. Although a significant number of reported genomic regions did not reach the level of “suggestive” or “significant” linkage and failed to be replicated in other independent studies, thirteen regions, located on chromosomes 3–7, 9–11, 17, 20, and 22, have been found to be suggestive or significant in at least two independent samples. Among them, the regions on chromosomes 9 (91.9–136.5 cM), 10, 11, and 17 have received the strongest support. A summary of eight regions that have been nominated for “significant” linkage to ND is provided.     

Multiple cholinergic nicotinic receptor genes affect nicotine dependence risk in African and European Americans

Several independent studies show that the chromosome 15q25.1 region, which contains the CHRNA5–CHRNA3–CHRNB4 gene cluster, harbors variants strongly associated with nicotine dependence, other smoking behaviors, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We investigated whether variants in other cholinergic nicotinic receptor subunit (CHRN) genes affect the risk of nicotine dependence in a new sample of African Americans (AAs) (N = 710). We also analyzed this AA sample together with a European American (EA) sample (N = 2062, 1608 of which have been previously studied), allowing for differing effects in the two populations. Cases are current nicotine‐dependent smokers and controls are non‐dependent smokers. Variants in or near CHRND–CHRNG, CHRNA7 and CHRNA10 show modest association with nicotine dependence risk in the AA sample. In addition, CHRNA4, CHRNB3–CHRNA6 and CHRNB1 show association in at least one population. CHRNG and CHRNA4 harbor single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that have opposite directions of effect in the two populations. In each of the population samples, these loci substantially increase the trait variation explained, although no loci meet Bonferroni‐corrected significance in the AA sample alone. The trait variation explained by three key associated SNPs in CHRNA5–CHRNA3–CHRNB4 is 1.9% in EAs and also 1.9% in AAs; this increases to 4.5% in EAs and 7.3% in AAs when we add six variants representing associations at other CHRN genes. Multiple nicotinic receptor subunit genes outside chromosome 15q25 are likely to be important in the biological processes and development of nicotine dependence, and some of these risks may be shared across diverse populations.     

A major susceptibility locus influencing plasma triglyceride concentrations is located on chromosome 15q in Mexican Americans

Although several genetic forms of rare or syndromic hypertriglyceridemia have been reported, little is known about the specific chromosomal regions across the genome harboring susceptibility genes for common forms of hypertriglyceridemia. Therefore, we conducted a genomewide scan for susceptibility genes influencing plasma triglyceride (TG) levels in a Mexican American population. We used both phenotypic and genotypic data from 418 individuals distributed across 27 low-income, extended Mexican American families. For the analyses, TG values were log transformed (ln TG). We used a variance-components technique to conduct multipoint linkage analyses for localizing susceptibility genes that determine variation in TG levels. We used an approximately 10-15-cM map, which was made on the basis of information from 295 microsatellite markers. After accounting for the effects of sex and sex-specific age terms, we found significant evidence for linkage (LOD = 3.88) of ln TG levels to a genetic location between the markers GABRB3 and D15S165 on chromosome 15q. This putative locus explains 39.7+/-7% (P=.000012) of total phenotypic variation in ln TG levels. Suggestive evidence was found for linkage of ln TG levels to two different locations on chromosome 7, which are approximately 85 cM apart from each other. Also, there is some evidence for linkage of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations to a genetic location near one of the regions on chromosome 7. In conclusion, we found strong evidence for linkage of ln TG levels to a genetic location on chromosome 15q in a Mexican American population, which is prone to disease conditions such as type 2 diabetes and the insulin-resistance syndrome that are associated with hypertriglyceridemia. This putative locus appears to have a major influence on ln TG variation.     

A genome-wide association search for type 2 diabetes genes in African Americans

African Americans are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes (T2DM) yet few studies have examined T2DM using genome-wide association approaches in this ethnicity. The aim of this study was to identify genes associated with T2DM in the African American population. We performed a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) using the Affymetrix 6.0 array in 965 African-American cases with T2DM and end-stage renal disease (T2DM-ESRD) and 1029 population-based controls. The most significant SNPs (n = 550 independent loci) were genotyped in a replication cohort and 122 SNPs (n = 98 independent loci) were further tested through genotyping three additional validation cohorts followed by meta-analysis in all five cohorts totaling 3,132 cases and 3,317 controls. Twelve SNPs had evidence of association in the GWAS (P<0.0071), were directionally consistent in the Replication cohort and were associated with T2DM in subjects without nephropathy (P<0.05). Meta-analysis in all cases and controls revealed a single SNP reaching genome-wide significance (P<2.5×10⁻⁸). SNP rs7560163 (P = 7.0×10⁻⁹, OR (95% CI) = 0.75 (0.67–0.84)) is located intergenically between RND3 and RBM43. Four additional loci (rs7542900, rs4659485, rs2722769 and rs7107217) were associated with T2DM (P<0.05) and reached more nominal levels of significance (P<2.5×10⁻⁵) in the overall analysis and may represent novel loci that contribute to T2DM. We have identified novel T2DM-susceptibility variants in the African-American population. Notably, T2DM risk was associated with the major allele and implies an interesting genetic architecture in this population. These results suggest that multiple loci underlie T2DM susceptibility in the African-American population and that these loci are distinct from those identified in other ethnic populations.     

Two major interacting chromosome loci control disease susceptibility in murine model of spondyloarthropathy

Autoimmune spondylitis was induced in BALB/c mice and their MHC-matched (BALB/c x DBA/2)F1 and F2 hybrids by systemic immunization with cartilage/intervertebral disk proteoglycan (PG). As in human ankylosing spondylitis, the MHC was the major permissive genetic locus in murine PG-induced spondylitis (PGIS). Two major non-MHC chromosome loci with highly significant linkage were found on chromosomes 2 (Pgis2) and 18 (Pgis1) accounting for 40% of the entire F2 trait variance. The dominant spondylitis-susceptibility allele for Pgis2 locus is derived from the BALB/c strain, whereas the Pgis1 recessive allele was present in the disease-resistant DBA/2 strain. The Pgis1 locus significantly affected the disease-controlling Pgis2 locus, inducing as high incidence of spondylitis in F2 hybrids as was found in the spondylitis-susceptible parent BALB/c strain. Additional disease-controlling loci with suggestive linkage were mapped to the chromosomes 12, 15, and 19. Severity of spondylitis in F2 mice positively correlated with serum levels of amyloid A, IL-6, and Pg-specific Abs, and showed negative correlation with Ag-induced T cell proliferation, IFN-gamma, IL-4, and TNF-alpha production. A major locus controlling serum IL-6 was found on chromosome 14 near osteoclast differentiation factor Tnfsf11. Locus on chromosome 11 near the Stat3 and Stat5 genes controlled serum level of the Ig IgG2a isotype. The two major genetic loci Pgis1 and Pgis2 of murine spondylitis were homologous to chromosome regions in human genome, which control ankylosing spondylitis in human patients. Thus, this animal model of experimentally induced spondylitis might facilitate the identification of spondylitis-susceptibility genes in humans.     

A genomewide screen of 345 families for autism-susceptibility loci

We previously reported a genomewide scan to identify autism-susceptibility loci in 110 multiplex families, showing suggestive evidence (P <.01) for linkage to autism-spectrum disorders (ASD) on chromosomes 5, 8, 16, 19, and X and showing nominal evidence (P <.05) on several additional chromosomes (2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, and 20). In this follow-up analysis we have increased the sample size threefold, while holding the study design constant, so that we now report 345 multiplex families, each with at least two siblings affected with autism or ASD phenotype. Along with 235 new multiplex families, 73 new microsatellite markers were also added in 10 regions, thereby increasing the marker density at these strategic locations from 10 cM to approximately 2 cM and bringing the total number of markers to 408 over the entire genome. Multipoint maximum LOD scores (MLS) obtained from affected-sib-pair analysis of all 345 families yielded suggestive evidence for linkage on chromosomes 17, 5, 11, 4, and 8 (listed in order by MLS) (P <.01). The most significant findings were an MLS of 2.83 (P =.00029) on chromosome 17q, near the serotonin transporter (5-hydroxytryptamine transporter [5-HTT]), and an MLS of 2.54 (P =.00059) on 5p. The present follow-up genome scan, which used a consistent research design across studies and examined the largest ASD sample collection reported to date, gave either equivalent or marginally increased evidence for linkage at several chromosomal regions implicated in our previous scan but eliminated evidence for linkage at other regions.     

A genomewide linkage scan for quantitative-trait loci for obesity phenotypes

Obesity is an increasingly serious health problem in the world. Body mass index (BMI), percentage fat mass, and body fat mass are important indices of obesity. For a sample of pedigrees that contains >10,000 relative pairs (including 1,249 sib pairs) that are useful for linkage analyses, we performed a whole-genome linkage scan, using 380 microsatellite markers to identify genomic regions that may contain quantitative-trait loci (QTLs) for obesity. Each pedigree was ascertained through a proband who has extremely low bone mass, which translates into a low BMI. A major QTL for BMI was identified on 2q14 near the marker D2S347 with a LOD score of 4.04 in two-point analysis and a maximum LOD score (MLS) of 4.44 in multipoint analysis. The genomic region near 2q14 also achieved an MLS >2.0 for percentage of fat mass and body fat mass. For the putative QTL on 2q14, as much as 28.2% of BMI variation (after adjustment for age and sex) may be attributable to this locus. In addition, several other genomic regions that may contain obesity-related QTLs are suggested. For example, 1p36 near the marker D1S468 may contain a QTL for BMI variation, with a LOD score of 2.75 in two-point analysis and an MLS of 2.09 in multipoint analysis. The genomic regions identified in this and earlier reports are compared for further exploration in extension studies that use larger samples and/or denser markers for confirmation and fine-mapping studies, to eventually identify major functional genes involved in obesity.     

A search for quantitative trait loci for milk production traits on chromosome 6 in Finnish Ayrshire cattle

Cattle chromosome 6 was scanned with 11 markers, ten microsatellites and the casein haplotype, to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the following milk production traits: milk yield, fat percentage, fat yield, protein percentage and protein yield. Twelve Finnish Ayrshire half-sib families with a total of 480 sons were genotyped and used in a grand-daughter design. Interval mapping was performed with a multiple-marker regression approach with a one-QTL and a two-QTL model, and the significance threshold values were determined empirically using a permutation test. Across-family analysis with the one-QTL model revealed an effect on protein percentage (P < 0.05) and on milk yield (P < 0.05). The analysis with the two-QTL model identified significant effects (P < 0.05) on protein percentage, milk yield, and fat yield. Comparing these two cases, the results suggest the existence of two QTLs on chromosome 6 with an effect on milk production traits. One of the QTLs was located around the casein genes. As the other QTL was similar in location and effect to a QTL found previously in Holstein-Friesians, an identity-by-descent approach could be applied to fine map this region.     

A genomewide scan for loci involved in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common heritable disorder with a childhood onset. Molecular genetic studies of ADHD have previously focused on examining the roles of specific candidate genes, primarily those involved in dopaminergic pathways. We have performed the first systematic genomewide linkage scan for loci influencing ADHD in 126 affected sib pairs, using a approximately 10-cM grid of microsatellite markers. Allele-sharing linkage methods enabled us to exclude any loci with a lambda(s) of > or =3 from 96% of the genome and those with a lambda(s) of > or =2.5 from 91%, indicating that there is unlikely to be a major gene involved in ADHD susceptibility in our sample. Under a strict diagnostic scheme we could exclude all screened regions of the X chromosome for a locus-specific lambda(s) of >/=2 in brother-brother pairs, demonstrating that the excess of affected males with ADHD is probably not attributable to a major X-linked effect. Qualitative trait maximum LOD score analyses pointed to a number of chromosomal sites that may contain genetic risk factors of moderate effect. None exceeded genomewide significance thresholds, but LOD scores were >1.5 for regions on 5p12, 10q26, 12q23, and 16p13. Quantitative-trait analysis of ADHD symptom counts implicated a region on 12p13 (maximum LOD 2.6) that also yielded a LOD >1 when qualitative methods were used. A survey of regions containing 36 genes that have been proposed as candidates for ADHD indicated that 29 of these genes, including DRD4 and DAT1, could be excluded for a lambda(s) of 2. Only three of the candidates-DRD5, 5HTT, and CALCYON-coincided with sites of positive linkage identified by our screen. Two of the regions highlighted in the present study, 2q24 and 16p13, coincided with the top linkage peaks reported by a recent genome-scan study of autistic sib pairs.     

A search for overlapping genetic susceptibility loci between non-Hodgkin lymphoma and autoimmune diseases

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a hematological malignancy of the immune system, and, as with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (ADs), is influenced by genetic variation in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Persons with a history of specific ADs also have increased risk of NHL. As the coexistence of ADs and NHL could be caused by factors common to both diseases, here we examined whether some of the associated genetic signals are shared. Overlapping risk loci for NHL subytpes and several ADs were explored using data from genome-wide association studies. Several common genomic regions and susceptibility loci were identified, suggesting a potential shared genetic background. Two independent MHC regions showed the main overlap, with several alleles in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II region exhibiting an opposite risk effect for follicular lymphoma and type I diabetes. These results support continued investigation to further elucidate the relationship between lymphoma and autoimmune diseases.     

A genetic linkage map of 32 loci on human chromosome 10

We have constructed a genetic linkage map of human chromosome 10 based on DNA probes that detect 47 restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) at 32 different loci. Segregation data were collected on a set of multigenerational families provided by the Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain and maps were constructed using recently developed multipoint analysis techniques. The length of the sex-averaged map is 178 cM and the sex-specific map lengths are 131 cM in males and 255 cM in females. Recombination is significantly higher in female meioses. The mean distance between loci is 5.6 cM for the sex-averaged map. The genetic map spans the length of the chromosome as judged by physical localization of probes by in situ hybridization techniques and mapping of the probes on human-hamster hybrid cell lines containing all or part of chromosome 10. The informativeness of two loci near the locus responsible for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN-2A) has been increased by isolation of cosmids that reveal additional RFLPs at these loci.     

A genomewide scan for type 1-diabetes susceptibility in Scandinavian families: identification of new loci with evidence of interactions

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (TIDM) has a multifactorial etiology, with major genetic-susceptibility determinants located in the HLA and insulin-gene (INS) regions. Linkage data implicating other disease-susceptibility loci are conflicting. This is likely due to (1) the limited power for detection of contributions of additional susceptibility loci, given the limited number of informative families available for study, (2) factors such as genetic heterogeneity between populations, and (3) potential gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. To circumvent some of these problems, we have conducted a genomewide linkage analysis for T1DM-susceptibility loci in 408 multiplex families from Scandinavia, a population expected to be homogeneous for genetic and environmental factors. In addition to verifying the HLA and INS susceptibility loci, the study provides confirmation of IDDM15 on chromosome 6q21. Suggestive evidence of additional susceptibility loci was found on chromosomes 2p, 5q, and 16p. For some loci, the support for linkage increased substantially when families were stratified on the basis of HLA or INS genotypes, with statistically significant heterogeneity between the stratified subgroups. Our data support both the existence of non-HLA genes of significance for T1DM and interaction between HLA and non-HLA loci in the determination of the T1DM phenotype.     

Quantitative trait loci on chromosome 5 for susceptibility to frequency-specific effects on hearing in DBA/2J mice

The DBA/2J strain is a model for early-onset, progressive hearing loss in humans, as confirmed in the present study. DBA/2J mice showed progression of hearing loss to low-frequency sounds from ultrasonic-frequency sounds and profound hearing loss at all frequencies before 7 months of age. It is known that the early-onset hearing loss of DBA/2J mice is caused by affects in the ahl (Cdh23^ahl) and ahl8 (Fscn2^ahl8) alleles of the cadherin 23 and fascin 2 genes, respectively. Although the strong contributions of the Fscn2^ahl8 allele were detected in hearing loss at 8- and 16-kHz stimuli with LOD scores of 5.02 at 8 kHz and 8.84 at 16 kHz, hearing loss effects were also demonstrated for three new quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for the intervals of 50.3–54.5, 64.6–119.9, and 119.9–137.0 Mb, respectively, on chromosome 5, with significant LOD scores of 2.80–3.91 for specific high-frequency hearing loss at 16 kHz by quantitative trait loci linkage mapping using a (DBA/2J × C57BL/6J) F₁ × DBA/2J backcross mice. Moreover, we showed that the contribution of Fscn2^ahl8 to early-onset hearing loss with 32-kHz stimuli is extremely low and raised the possibility of effects from the Cdh23^ahl allele and another dominant quantitative trait locus (loci) for hearing loss at this ultrasonic frequency. Therefore, our results suggested that frequency-specific QTLs control early-onset hearing loss in DBA/2J mice.     

Use of monozygotic twins in search for breast cancer susceptibility loci.

We have used Swedish monozygotic twins concordant for breast cancer to study genetic changes associated with the development of breast cancer. Because loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at a specific genomic region may reflect the presence of a tumour suppressor gene, loss of the same allele in both of the twins concordant for breast cancer may pinpoint a tumour suppressor gene that confers a strong predisposition to breast cancer. DNA samples extracted from the matched tumour and normal tissues of nine twin pairs were analysed for allelic imbalance using a set of microsatellite markers on chromosomes 1, 13, 16 and 17, containing loci with known tumour suppressor genes. The two main regions, where more twin pairs than expected had lost the same allele, were located at 16qtel', including markers D16S393, D16S305 and D16S413, and at 17p13, distal to the p53 locus. Our results show that the monozygotic twin model can be used to suggest candidate regions of potential tumour suppressor genes, even with a limited number of twin pairs.