Distinct Linkage Research Articles

A genome‐wide association study of venous thromboembolism identifies risk variants in chromosomes 1q24.2 and 9q

To identify venous thromboembolism (VTE) disease-susceptibility genes. We performed in silico genome wide association scan (GWAS) analyses using genotype data imputed to approximately 2.5 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from adults with objectively-diagnosed VTE (n=1503), and controls frequency matched on age and gender (n=1459; discovery population). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms exceeding genome-wide significance were replicated in a separate population (VTE cases, n=1407; controls, n=1418). Genes associated with VTE were re-sequenced. Seven SNPs exceeded genome-wide significance (P<5×10(-8)): four on chromosome 1q24.2 (F5 rs6025 [factor V Leiden], BLZF1 rs7538157, NME7 rs16861990 and SLC19A2 rs2038024) and three on chromosome 9q34.2 (ABO rs2519093 [ABO intron 1], rs495828, rs8176719 [ABO blood type O allele]). The replication study confirmed a significant association of F5, NME7 and ABO with VTE. However, F5 was the main signal on 1q24.2 as only ABO SNPs remained significantly associated with VTE after adjusting for F5 rs6025. This 1q24.2 region was shown to be inherited as a haplotype block. ABO re-sequencing identified 15 novel single nucleotide variations (SNV) in ABO intron 6 and the ABO 3' UTR that were strongly associated with VTE (P<10(-4)) and belonged to three distinct linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks; none were in LD with ABO rs8176719 or rs2519093. Our sample size provided 80% power to detect odds ratios (ORs)=2.0 and 1.51 for minor allele frequencies=0.05 and 0.5, respectively (α=1×10(-8); 1% VTE prevalence). Apart from F5 rs6025, ABO rs8176719, rs2519093 and F2 rs1799963, additional common and high VTE-risk SNPs among whites are unlikely.

RAPD, karyology and selected morphological variation in a model grass, Brachypodium distachyon

Jaroszewicz AM, Kosina R &amp; Stankiewicz PR (2012). RAPD, karyology and selected morphological variation in a model grass, Brachypodium distachyon. Weed Research52, 204–216.SummaryRecognition of variation patterns at the level of DNA, chromosomes and plant morphology, and their interrelationships were the object of this research on Brachypodium distachyon. RAPD profiles, cytogenetics of root mitoses, gross morphology and microstructures were studied in B. distachyon for 18 accessions, as well as for three selections with a narrowed gene pool, all from the Mediterranean and Irano‐Turanian region. For the scored RAPD bands, 309 were polymorphic (96%). The average expected gene diversity (Hi) for all primers was 0.220, which is close to the variation noted in the Asian‐European region of origin. In the UPGMA dendrogram, accessions were not clustered according to their geographic origin. High variability in cytogenetics was found. Levels of chromosome ploidy differentiated accessions. A cytogenetic mosaic was expressed in the form of aneuploidy and anomalous mitoses. Accessions presenting similar cytogenetic variability were not clustered in the RAPD dendrogram. The period of vegetative growth varied greatly. Zoochoric characteristics of diaspores and endosperm volume showed interaccessional variability. No distinct linkage between RAPD patterns and morphology was found. High variation in all studied characteristics of the plant was noted, which is a good base for natural selection of intraspecific units (inbred lines). The narrowing of the gene pool is an effective tool of microevolution and facilitates the distribution of the species according to the founder principle. The comparison of this evolutionary potential of B. distachyon with patterns of evolution of other annual weedy grasses would be of great value for weed science.

Ubiquitin-Binding Proteins: Decoders of Ubiquitin-Mediated Cellular Functions

Ubiquitin acts as a versatile cellular signal that controls a wide range of biological processes including protein degradation, DNA repair, endocytosis, autophagy, transcription, immunity, and inflammation. The specificity of ubiquitin signaling is achieved by alternative conjugation signals (monoubiquitin and ubiquitin chains) and interactions with ubiquitin-binding proteins (known as ubiquitin receptors) that decode ubiquitinated target signals into biochemical cascades in the cell. Herein, we review the current knowledge pertaining to the structural and functional features of ubiquitin-binding proteins and the mechanisms by which they recognize various types of ubiquitin topologies. The combinatorial use of diverse ubiquitin-binding domains (UBDs) in full-length proteins, selective recognition of chains with distinct linkages and length, and posttranslational modifications of ubiquitin receptors or multivalent interactions within protein complexes illustrate a few mechanisms by which a circuitry of signaling networks can be rewired by ubiquitin-binding proteins to control cellular functions in vivo.

Abstract P233: Generalization of Adiposity-Related Common Genetic Variants among U.S. Hispanic Women in WHI-SHARe

Obesity is a global health concern. Recent studies suggest there may be shared genetic predispositions to obesity phenotypes across diverse racial and ethnic groups, yet the identification of adiposity-related genetic variants among Hispanics, now the largest minority group in the United States (U.S.), remains largely unknown. We interrogated an a priori list of 58 (41 overall body mass and 17 central adiposity) index single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously studied in samples of European descent (ED) among 3,587 U.S. Hispanic women in the Women's Health Initiative-SNP Health Association Resource (WHI-SHARe). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were measured using standardized protocols. Inverse normal BMI, WC, and WHR models were adjusted for age, smoking status, study center, and genetic ancestry using principal components. Additionally WC and WHR were adjusted for BMI. Genotyping was performed using the Affymetrix 6.0 array. In the absence of the previously described SNP, the closest available SNP was selected as a proxy (r2≥0.3 in CEU). No SNPs reached genome-wide significance in this analysis likely due to limited power. Eight BMI/weight loci (TMEM18, ETV5, SLC39A8, NUDT3/HMGA1, FAIM2, FTO, MC4R, KCTD15) and two WC/WHR loci (VEGFA, ITPR2-SSPN) were nominally significant (p&lt;0.05) at the reference SNP in the corresponding BMI and WC and/or WHR adjusted BMI models. To account for distinct linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns in Hispanics and to more broadly assess generalization of genetic effects at each locus, we assessed the evidence for association at the 58 surrounding loci, for each SNP within 500 kb of the reference SNP. Two additional BMI/weight loci (FANCL, TFAP2B) and six WC/WHR loci (DNM3-PIGC, GRB14, ADAMTS9, LY86, MSRA, NRXN3) displayed statistically significant associations with BMI and waist measures after Bonferroni correction (p&lt;0.001 and &lt;0.003, respectively), with varying patterns of LD (r2=0.001-0.871) with the index SNP (using HapMap CEU). Sequential conditional analyses will be used to further determine if our top findings from these loci are tagging the index signal or represent novel secondary signals. In summary, we provide evidence for the generalization of ten BMI and eight central adiposity loci in Hispanic American women. This study expands the current knowledge of common adiposity-related genetic predisposition among Hispanic women in the U.S. and suggests a general relevance of ED adiposity loci to Hispanic descent individuals.

A Processive Carbohydrate Polymerase That Mediates Bifunctional Catalysis Using a Single Active Site

Even in the absence of a template, glycosyltransferases can catalyze the synthesis of carbohydrate polymers of specific sequence. The paradigm has been that one enzyme catalyzes the formation of one type of glycosidic linkage, yet certain glycosyltransferases generate polysaccharide sequences composed of two distinct linkage types. In principle, bifunctional glycosyltransferases can possess separate active sites for each catalytic activity or one active site with dual activities. We encountered the fundamental question of one or two distinct active sites in our investigation of the galactosyltransferase GlfT2. GlfT2 catalyzes the formation of mycobacterial galactan, a critical cell-wall polymer composed of galactofuranose residues connected with alternating, regioisomeric linkages. We found that GlfT2 mediates galactan polymerization using only one active site that manifests dual regioselectivity. Structural modeling of the bifunctional glycosyltransferases hyaluronan synthase and cellulose synthase suggests that these enzymes also generate multiple glycosidic linkages using a single active site. These results highlight the versatility of glycosyltransferases for generating polysaccharides of specific sequence. We postulate that a hallmark of processive elongation of a carbohydrate polymer by a bifunctional enzyme is that one active site can give rise to two separate types of glycosidic bonds.

Disruption of a Ciliary B9 Protein Complex Causes Meckel Syndrome

Nearly every ciliated organism possesses three B9 domain-containing proteins: MKS1, B9D1, and B9D2. Mutations in human MKS1 cause Meckel syndrome (MKS), a severe ciliopathy characterized by occipital encephalocele, liver ductal plate malformations, polydactyly, and kidney cysts. Mouse mutations in either Mks1 or B9d2 compromise ciliogenesis and result in phenotypes similar to those of MKS. Given the importance of these two B9 proteins to ciliogenesis, we examined the role of the third B9 protein, B9d1. Mice lacking B9d1 displayed polydactyly, kidney cysts, ductal plate malformations, and abnormal patterning of the neural tube, concomitant with compromised ciliogenesis, ciliary protein localization, and Hedgehog (Hh) signal transduction. These data prompted us to screen MKS patients for mutations in B9D1 and B9D2. We identified a homozygous c.301A>C (p.Ser101Arg) B9D2 mutation that segregates with MKS, affects an evolutionarily conserved residue, and is absent from controls. Unlike wild-type B9D2 mRNA, the p.Ser101Arg mutation failed to rescue zebrafish phenotypes induced by the suppression of b9d2. With coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometric analyses, we found that Mks1, B9d1, and B9d2 interact physically, but that the p.Ser101Arg mutation abrogates the ability of B9d2 to interact with Mks1, further suggesting that the mutation compromises B9d2 function. Our data indicate that B9d1 is required for normal Hh signaling, ciliogenesis, and ciliary protein localization and that B9d1 and B9d2 are essential components of a B9 protein complex, disruption of which causes MKS.

Comamonas testosteronan synthase, a bifunctional glycosyltransferase that produces a unique heparosan polysaccharide analog

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear hexosamine-containing polysaccharides. These polysaccharides are synthesized by some pathogenic bacteria to form an extracellular coating or capsule. This strategy forms the basis of molecular camouflage since vertebrates possess naturally occurring GAGs that are essential for life. A recent sequence database search identified a putative protein from the opportunistic pathogen Comamonas testosteroni that exhibits similarity with the Pasteurella multocida GAG synthase PmHS1, which is responsible for the synthesis of a heparosan polysaccharide capsule. Initial supportive evidence included glucuronic acid (GlcUA)-containing polysaccharides extracted from C. testosteroni KF-1. We describe here the cloning and analysis of a novel Comamonas GAG synthase, CtTS. The GAG produced by CtTS in vitro consists of the sugars d-GlcUA and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, but is insensitive to digestion by GAG digesting enzymes, thus has distinct glycosidic linkages from vertebrate GAGs. The backbone structure of the polysaccharide product [-4-D-GlcUA-α1,4-D-GlcNAc-α1-](n) was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance. Therefore, this novel GAG, testosteronan, consists of the same sugars as the biomedically relevant GAGs heparosan (N-acetyl-heparosan) and hyaluronan but may have distinct properties useful for future medical applications.

Economic recessions, strategy, and performance: a synthesis

PurposeDespite the episodic pervasiveness of recessions and their destructive impact on firms, a void exists in the management literature examining the intersection between recessions, strategy, and performance. This paper seeks directly to address this research void by reviewing relevant literature spanning the past 20 years and building an integrative framework for future research efforts.Design/methodology/approachThe paper systematically reviews and compartmentalizes articles on the intersection between firm strategy and economic recession published between 1991 and 2010 in widely recognized management and entrepreneurship journals. Concurrently, a theoretical framework is proposed which identifies distinct constructs and linkages related to economic recessions, strategy, and performance.FindingsThe findings are twofold. First, the review distils disparate scholarly works on firm behavior and recessions to provide a systematic appraisal and review of what people know and do not know about managing firms through economic downturn. Second, the conceptual framework points to numerous opportunities to scholars interested in conducting research on this timely and important topic.Practical implicationsThe paper answers a call by scholars for research that fills a void on systematic diagnosis, prescription, or prophylaxis that can guide managers through recessions.Originality/valueThis paper represents the only research initiative to systematically bring a comprehensive overview of firm strategy in the context of recessionary environments. In effect, it addresses the larger research question: “What do we know about the interplay between firm strategy and recession?”

HPPD: A newly recognized autosomal dominant disorder involving hypertelorism, preauricular sinus, punctal pits, and deafness mapping to chromosome 14q31

We report on a novel autosomal dominant disorder with variable phenotypic expression in a three-generation family; the major features include hypertelorism, preauricular sinus, deafness, and punctal pits with lacrimal-duct obstruction. We ruled out the involvement of EYA1, SIX1, and SIX5 as candidate genes by direct sequencing of their exons and by SNP-based linkage analysis. Subsequent SNP-based whole-genome genotyping and parametric multipoint linkage analysis gave lod scores >1 at 14q31 (LOD = 3.14), 11q25 (LOD = 1.87), and 8p23 (LOD = 1.18). By genotyping additional microsatellite markers at two of these three loci and using an expanded phenotype definition, the LOD at 14q31 increased to 3.34. Direct sequencing of the gene exons within the 14q31 critical interval and a custom aCGH experiment did not show any pathogenic mutation or copy-number changes. Further sequencing of 21 kb of promoter regions showed a novel polymorphism 1,249 bp upstream from the SELIL start codon that segregated with the disease haplotype. Cloning the novel polymorphism into luciferase reporter constructs resulted in a 20% reduction in the expression levels. The identification of this family with a distinctive clinical phenotype and linkage to a novel locus at 14q31 supports the existence of a new syndrome of the branchial cleft.

Genome-wide association study of coronary heart disease and its risk factors in 8,090 African Americans: the NHLBI CARe Project.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality in African Americans. To identify common genetic polymorphisms associated with CHD and its risk factors (LDL- and HDL-cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C), hypertension, smoking, and type-2 diabetes) in individuals of African ancestry, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 8,090 African Americans from five population-based cohorts. We replicated 17 loci previously associated with CHD or its risk factors in Caucasians. For five of these regions (CHD: CDKN2A/CDKN2B; HDL-C: FADS1-3, PLTP, LPL, and ABCA1), we could leverage the distinct linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns in African Americans to identify DNA polymorphisms more strongly associated with the phenotypes than the previously reported index SNPs found in Caucasian populations. We also developed a new approach for association testing in admixed populations that uses allelic and local ancestry variation. Using this method, we discovered several loci that would have been missed using the basic allelic and global ancestry information only. Our conclusions suggest that no major loci uniquely explain the high prevalence of CHD in African Americans. Our project has developed resources and methods that address both admixture- and SNP-association to maximize power for genetic discovery in even larger African-American consortia.

Meta-analysis of the Association Between Variants in SORL1 and Alzheimer Disease

To reexamine the association between the neuronal sortilin-related receptor gene (SORL1) and Alzheimer disease (AD). Comprehensive and unbiased meta-analysis of all published and unpublished data from case-control studies for the SORL1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that had been repeatedly assessed across studies. Academic research institutions in the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, Sweden, Germany, France, and Italy. All published white and Asian case-control data sets, which included a total of 12,464 cases and 17,929 controls. Alzheimer disease according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) and the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (now known as the Alzheimer's Association). In the white data sets, several markers were associated with AD after correction for multiple testing, including previously reported SNPs 8, 9, and 10 (P < .001). In addition, the C-G-C haplotype at SNPs 8 through 10 was associated with AD risk (P < .001). In the combined Asian data sets, SNPs 19 and 23 through 25 were associated with AD risk (P < .001). The disease-associated alleles at SNPs 8, 9, and 10 (120,873,131-120,886,175 base pairs [bp]; C-G-C alleles), at SNP 19 (120,953,300 bp; G allele), and at SNPs 24 through 25 (120,988,611 bp; T and C alleles) were the same previously reported alleles. The SNPs 4 through 5, 8 through 10, 12, and 19 through 25 belong to distinct linkage disequilibrium blocks. The same alleles at SNPs 8 through 10 (C-G-C), 19 (G), and 24 and 25 (T and C) have also been associated with AD endophenotypes, including white matter hyperintensities and hippocampal atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid measures of amyloid β-peptide 42, and full-length SORL1 expression in the human brain. This comprehensive meta-analysis provides confirmatory evidence that multiple SORL1 variants in distinct linkage disequilibrium blocks are associated with AD.

Familial concordance of breast cancer pathology as an indicator of genotype in multiple-case families

The heterogeneity of multiple case breast cancer families that do not carry mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 (non-BRCA1/2 families) poses a challenge to the identification of breast cancer susceptibility genes. The aim of this study was to determine whether intrafamilial concordance in breast cancer pathology could identify subgroups of non-BRCA1/2 families with consistent genotypic features. Invasive breast cancers were reviewed from 84 individuals belonging to 30 multiple-case families; BRCA1 (n = 9), BRCA2 (n = 10), and non-BRCA1/2 (n = 11). Hierarchical cluster analysis based on histopathology and age at first diagnosis was then used to specify three subgroups designated Clusters 1-3. The genomic features of non-BRCA1/2 families were examined by genome wide linkage and FGFR2 SNP genotyping, according to whether they showed cluster-concordant or cluster-mixed familial pathology. The majority of pathogenic BRCA1 mutation carriers (80%) fell into a single cluster. In contrast pathogenic BRCA2 mutation carriers were distributed across all three clusters and within families, cluster groups were also generally mixed. Most non-BRCA1/2 mutation carriers belonged to Cluster 3 (71%). Genome wide linkage data from five non-BRCA1/2 Cluster 3-concordant families were compared with four mixed cluster non-BRCA1/2 families. This revealed a number of distinct linkage peaks, including some regions previously associated with breast cancer susceptibility. The distribution of low risk alleles in FGFR2 was not different between these two subgroups (P = 0.237). The pattern of breast cancer pathology concordance amongst family members may assist the investigation of breast cancer susceptibility in multiple case families.

Associations of variants in CHRNA5/A3/B4 gene cluster with smoking behaviors in a Korean population.

Multiple genome-wide and targeted association studies reveal a significant association of variants in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 (CHRNA5/A3/B4) gene cluster on chromosome 15 with nicotine dependence. The subjects examined in most of these studies had a European origin. However, considering the distinct linkage disequilibrium patterns in European and other ethnic populations, it would be of tremendous interest to determine whether such associations could be replicated in populations of other ethnicities, such as Asians. In this study, we performed comprehensive association and interaction analyses for 32 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CHRNA5/A3/B4 with smoking initiation (SI), smoking quantity (SQ), and smoking cessation (SC) in a Korean sample (N = 8,842). We found nominally significant associations of 7 SNPs with at least one smoking-related phenotype in the total sample (SI: P = 0.015∼0.023; SQ: P = 0.008∼0.028; SC: P = 0.018∼0.047) and the male sample (SI: P = 0.001∼0.023; SQ: P = 0.001∼0.046; SC: P = 0.01). A spectrum of haplotypes formed by three consecutive SNPs located between rs16969948 in CHRNA5 and rs6495316 in the intergenic region downstream from the 5′ end of CHRNB4 was associated with these three smoking-related phenotypes in both the total and the male sample. Notably, associations of these variants and haplotypes with SC appear to be much weaker than those with SI and SQ. In addition, we performed an interaction analysis of SNPs within the cluster using the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction method and found a significant interaction of SNPs rs7163730 in LOC123688, rs6495308 in CHRNA3, and rs7166158, rs8043123, and rs11072793 in the intergenic region downstream from the 5′ end of CHRNB4 to be influencing SI in the male sample. Considering that fewer than 5% of the female participants were smokers, we did not perform any analysis on female subjects specifically. Together, our detected associations of variants in the CHRNA5/A3/B4 cluster with SI, SQ, and SC in the Korean smoker samples provide strong evidence for the contribution of this cluster to the etiology of SI, ND, and SC in this Asian population.

Molecular Characterization of FLOWERING LOCUS T-Like Genes of Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.)

The two FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT)-like genes of apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.), MdFT1 and MdFT2, have been isolated and characterized. MdFT1 and MdFT2 were mapped, respectively, on distinct linkage groups (LGs) with partial homoeology, LG 12 and LG 4. The expression pattern of MdFT1 and MdFT2 differed in that MdFT1 was expressed mainly in apical buds of fruit-bearing shoots in the adult phase, with little expression in the juvenile tissues, whereas MdFT2 was expressed mainly in reproductive organs, including flower buds and young fruit. On the other hand, both genes had the potential to induce early flowering since transgenic Arabidopsis, which ectopically expressed MdFT1 or MdFT2, flowered earlier than wild-type plants. Furthermore, overexpression of MdFT1 conferred precocious flowering in apple, with altered expression of other endogenous genes, such as MdMADS12. These results suggest that MdFT1 could function to promote flowering by altering the expression of those genes and that, at least, other genes may play an important role as well in the regulation of flowering in apple. The long juvenile period of fruit trees prevents early cropping and efficient breeding. Our findings will be useful information to unveil the molecular mechanism of flowering and to develop methods to shorten the juvenile period in various fruit trees, including apple.

Kinematic linkage of the tongue, jaw, and hyoid during eating and speech

Tongue movement is temporo-spatially coordinated with jaw and hyoid movements during eating and speech. As such, we evaluated: (1) the correlation between the tongue with jaw and hyoid movements during eating and speech and (2) the relative influence of the jaw and hyoid on determining tongue movement. Lateral projection videofluorography was recorded while 16 healthy subjects ate solid foods or read a standard passage. The position of anterior and posterior tongue markers (ATM and PTM, respectively), the jaw, and the hyoid relative to the upper occlusal plane was quantified with the upper canine as the origin (0,0) point for Cartesian coordinates. For vertical and horizontal dimensions, separate multiple linear regression analyses were performed with ATM or PTM position as a function of jaw and hyoid positions. Vertically, both ATM and PTM positions were highly correlated with the jaw and hyoid during eating (median r=0.87). The relative influence was higher for the jaw than the hyoid for ATM position (P<0.001), but lower for PTM position (P=0.04). Horizontally, tongue marker positions had moderate correlation with the jaw and hyoid during eating (r=0.47), due more to hyoid position than to jaw position. Overall, correlations were lower during speech than eating. This study demonstrated distinct kinematic linkages between the movements of the jaw, the hyoid and the anterior and posterior tongue markers, as well as differing impact of the jaw and the hyoid in determining tongue movement during eating and speech.

A milieu of regulatory elements in the epidermal differentiation complex syntenic block: implications for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis

Two common inflammatory skin disorders with impaired barrier, atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis, share distinct genetic linkage to the Epidermal Differentiation Complex (EDC) locus on 1q21. The EDC is comprised of tandemly arrayed gene families encoding proteins involved in skin cell differentiation. Discovery of semi-dominant mutations in filaggrin (FLG) associated with AD and a copy number variation within the LCE genes associated with psoriasis provide compelling evidence for the role of EDC genes in the pathogenesis of these diseases. To date, little is known about the potentially complex regulatory landscape within the EDC. Here, we report a computational approach to identify conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) in the EDC queried for regulatory function. Coordinate expression of EDC genes during mouse embryonic skin development and a striking degree of synteny and linearity in the EDC locus across a wide range of mammalian (placental and marsupial) genomes suggests an evolutionary conserved regulatory milieu in the EDC. CNEs identified by comparative genomics exhibit dynamic regulatory activity (enhancer or repressor) in differentiating or proliferating conditions. We further demonstrate epidermal-specific, developmental in vivo enhancer activities (DNaseI and transgenic mouse assays) in CNEs, including one within the psoriasis-associated deletion, LCE3C_LCE3B-del. Together, our multidisciplinary study features a network of regulatory elements coordinating developmental EDC gene expression as an unexplored resource for genetic variants in skin diseases.

The multidimensionality of schizotypy in nonpsychotic relatives of patients with schizophrenia and its applications in ordered subsets linkage analysis of schizophrenia

This study aimed to examine the multidimensionality of schizotypy and validate the structure using ordered subset linkage analyses on information from both relatives' schizotypy and probands' schizophrenia symptoms. A total of 203 and 1,310 nonpsychotic first-degree relatives from simplex and multiplex schizophrenia families, respectively, were interviewed with the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies, which contains a modified Structured Interview for Schizotypy. Using Mplus program with categorical factor indicators, a four-factor model (Negative Schizotypy, Positive Schizotypy, Interpersonal Sensitivity, and Social Isolation/Introversion) was extracted by exploratory factor analysis from relatives of simplex families and was confirmed in relatives of multiplex families. The validity of each factor was supported by distinct linkage findings resulting from ordered subset analysis based on different combinations of schizophrenia-schizotypy factors. Six chromosomal regions with significant increase in nonparametric linkage z score (NPL-Z) were found as follows: 15q21.1 (NPL-Z = 3.60) for Negative Schizophrenia-Negative Schizotypy, 10q22.3 (NPL-Z = 3.83) and 15q21.3 (NPL-Z = 3.36) for Negative Schizophrenia-Social Isolation/Introversion, 5q14.2 (NPL-Z = 3.20) and 11q23.3 (NPL-Z = 3.31) for Positive Schizophrenia-Positive Schizotypy, and 4q32.1 (NPL-Z = 3.31) for Positive Schizophrenia-Interpersonal Sensitivity. The greatest NPL-Z of 3.83 on 10q22.3 in the subset was significantly higher than the greatest one of 2.88 in the whole sample (empirical P-value = 0.04). We concluded that a consistent four-factor model of schizotypy could be derived in nonpsychotic relatives across families of patients with different genetic loadings in schizophrenia. Their differential relations to linkage signals have etiological implications and provide further evidence for their validity.

Association and interaction analysis of variants in CHRNA5/CHRNA3/CHRNB4 gene cluster with nicotine dependence in African and European Americans.

Several previous genome-wide and targeted association studies revealed that variants in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 (CHRNA5/A3/B4) gene cluster on chromosome 15 that encode the alpha5, alpha3, and beta4 subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are associated with nicotine dependence (ND) in European Americans (EAs) or others of European origin. Considering the distinct linkage disequilibrium patterns in European and other ethnic populations such as African Americans (AAs), it would be interesting to determine whether such associations exist in other ethnic populations. We performed a comprehensive association and interaction analysis of the CHRNA5/A3/B4 cluster in two ethnic samples to investigate the role of variants in the risk for ND, which was assessed by Smoking Quantity, Heaviness Smoking Index, and Fagerström test for ND. Using a family-based association test, we found a nominal association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1317286 and rs8040868 in CHRNA3 with ND in the AA and combined AA and EA samples. Furthermore, we found that several haplotypes in CHRNA5 and CHRNA3 are nominally associated with ND in AA, EA, and pooled samples. However, none of these associations remained significant after correction for multiple testing. In addition, we performed interaction analysis of SNPs within the CHRNA5/A3/B4 cluster using the pedigree-based generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction method and found significant interactions within CHRNA3 and among the three subunit genes in the AA and pooled samples. Together, these results indicate that variants within CHRNA3 and among CHRNA5, CHRNA3, and CHRNB4 contribute significantly to the etiology of ND through gene-gene interactions, although the association of each subunit gene with ND is weak in both the AA and EA samples.

Linkage analysis of schizophrenia controlling for population substructure

Etiological heterogeneity and complexity has hampered attempts to identify predisposing genes for schizophrenia. We sought to minimize the number of segregating genes involved by focusing on a population isolate with elevated disease prevalence. We exploited the well-established population history, and searched for disease susceptibility loci in families from two alternative founder lineages. We studied 28 schizophrenia pedigrees (123 nuclear families) from an outlying municipality on the eastern border of Finland. We divided the families based on their genealogy and defined two routes of immigration: southern and northern. We examined the kinship coefficients and allele frequency distributions within each group, and performed a linkage analysis based on 497 microsatellite markers across the genome. A high degree of historical relatedness was demonstrated by higher sharing of alleles than predicted by the relationships we identified within the previous four generations alone, as would be expected. Between the two subpopulations, allele frequencies were significantly different, consistent with their isolated genealogies. The southern families showed some evidence of linkage in a schizophrenia locus at 4q23 (Z = 3.3) near our previous finding with quantitative variation in verbal learning and memory [Paunio et al. (2004); Hum Mol Genet 13: 1693-1702], while the northern pedigrees gave most significant evidence on 10q21 (Z = 2.53). Joint analysis of families from both lineages suggested evidence of linkage only at 3p14 (Z = 3.18). Thus the detailed genealogical information led us to identification of distinct linkage signals for schizophrenia susceptibility loci between the three analyses we performed.

Sequence variation in SORL1 and dementia risk in Swedes

The gene encoding the neuronal sortilin-related receptor SORL1 has been claimed to be associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) by independent groups and across various human populations. We evaluated six genetic markers in SORL1 in a sample of 1,558 Swedish dementia cases (including 1,270 AD cases) and 2,179 controls. For both single-marker-based and haplotype-based analyses, we found no strong support for SORL1 as a dementia or AD risk-modifying gene in our sample in isolation nor did we observe association with AD/dementia-related traits, including cerebrospinal fluid beta-amyloid(1-42), tau levels, or age at onset. However, meta-analyses of markers in this study together with previously published studies on SORL1 encompassing in excess of 13,000 individuals does suggest significant association with AD (best odds ratio = 1.097; 95% confidence interval = 1.038-1.158, p = 0.001). All six markers were significant in meta-analyses and it is notable that they occur in two distinct linkage disequilibrium blocks. These data are consistent with either allelic heterogeneity or the existence of as yet untested functional variants and these will be important considerations in further attempts to evaluate the importance of sequence variation in SORL1 with AD risk.