Rapid Identification Of Major-effect Genes Using The Collaborative Cross

Document Type

Journal Article

Publisher

Genetics Society of America

Faculty

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School

School of Medical Sciences

RAS ID

18718

Comments

Ram, R., Mehta, M., Balmer, L. A., Gatti, D., & Morahan, G. (2014). Rapid identification of major-effect genes using the collaborative cross. Genetics: a periodical record of investigations bearing on heredity and variation, 198(1), 75-86. Available here

Abstract

The Collaborative Cross (CC) was designed to facilitate rapid gene mapping and consists of hundreds of recombinant inbred lines descended from eight diverse inbred founder strains. A decade in production, it can now be applied to mapping projects. Here, we provide a proof of principle for rapid identification of major-effect genes using the CC. To do so, we chose coat color traits since the location and identity of many relevant genes are known. We ascertained in 110 CC lines six different coat phenotypes: albino, agouti, black, cinnamon, and chocolate coat colors and the white-belly trait. We developed a pipeline employing modifications of existing mapping tools suitable for analyzing the complex genetic architecture of the CC. Together with analysis of the founders’ genome sequences, mapping was successfully achieved with sufficient resolution to identify the causative genes for five traits. Anticipating the application of the CC to complex traits, we also developed strategies to detect interacting genes, testing joint effects of three loci. Our results illustrate the power of the CC and provide confidence that this resource can be applied to complex traits for detection of both qualitative and quantitative trait loci.

DOI

10.1534/genetics.114.163014

Access Rights

free_to_read

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