title: Characterization of simple sequence repeat variants linked to candidate genes for behavioral phenotypes.
abstract: Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) have traditionally been used as markers in gene mapping studies and typing for forensic purposes. Recently there has been some speculation that this type of genetic variation also plays a more direct role in influencing gene expression and hence complex phenotypic outcomes such as human behavior. For this reason it is interesting to investigate SSRs linked to candidate genes for various complex phenotypes. An economical multiplex PCR-based assay was designed to simultaneously genotype individuals at 15 loci across 10 candidate genes for human behavioural phenotypes, including seven loci previously unreported in Caucasians (five unreported in any population). All loci were tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and for two-locus Linkage Disequilibrium. Ewens-Watterson neutrality testing indicated possible selection at a previously unreported DRD2 locus.
authors.affiliation: Predictive Medicine Group, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia. Zoe.Prichard@anu.edu.au
authors.forename: Zoë
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Prichard
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Easteal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D005787:Gene Frequency; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D005824:Genetics, Behavioral; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics*