Strategy for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) by using human metapopulations

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Igor Rudan
• Author: Zrinka Biloglav
• Author: Andrew D. Carothers
• Author: Alan F. Wright
• Author: Harry Campbell
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Public Health and Health Care

Abstract (english)

Aim. To present a novel strategy for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL), using human metapopulations. The strategy is based on the expectation that in geographic clusters of small and distinct human isolates, a combination of founder effect and genetic drift can dramatically increase population frequency of rare QTL variants with large effect. In such cases, the distribution of QT measurements in an “affected” isolate is expected to deviate from that observed in neighboring isolates. - - - - - Methods. We tested this hypothesis in 9 villages from a larger Croatian isolate resource, where 7 Mendelian disorders have been previously reported. The values of 10 physiological and biochemical QTs were measured in a random sample of 1001 individuals (100 inhabitants of each of 9 villages and 101 immigrant controls). - - - - - Results. Significant over- or under- representation of individuals from specific villages in extreme ends of standardized QT measurement distribution was found 10 times more frequently than expected by chance. The large majority of such clusters of individuals with extreme QT values (34/36, 94.4%) originated from the 6 villages with the most pronounced geographic isolation and endogamy. - - - - - Conclusion. Early epidemiological assessment supports the feasibility of the proposed strategy. Clusters of individuals with extreme QT values responsible for over-representation of single villages can usually be linked to a larger pedigree and may be useful for further QTL mapping, using linkage analysis.

• Keywords (english): Chromosome Mapping; Genetics , Population; Models , Genetic; Quantitative Trait Loci; Body Height; Croatia; Dwarfism - genetics; Female; Gene Frequency; Geography; Humans; Male
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Croatian Medical Journal
• Numbering: vol. 47, no. 4, pp. 532-542
• p-ISSN: 0353-9504
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:124063
• Publication: 2006-08
• Document URL: http://www.cmj.hr/2006/47/4/16909450.htm
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-27 19:01:35