title: Improved power of sib-pair linkage analysis using measures of complex trait dynamics.
abstract: The influence of epistasis on a quantitative trait can reduce the power of linkage analysis to identify the underlying loci. In the present study, we simulated a complex trait derived from a dynamic one-locus gene expression system with epistasis arising from feedback regulation and tested the power of sib-pair linkage analysis methods for detecting the underlying quantitative trait locus (QTL). Using this simple genetic architecture, we demonstrate that the power of sib-pair linkage analysis can be greatly improved if measures of complex trait dynamics are considered.
authors.affiliation: Program in Human Genetics, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville, Tenn 37232-0700, USA. moore@phg.mc.vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic; D005246:Feedback; D015870:Gene Expression; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006801:Humans; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable