Using inbred mouse strains to identify genes for complex diseases.
In recent years, genetic studies in humans have identified a handful of genes that are associated with common disorders, but our understanding of such diseases at the genetic level remains relatively rudimentary. The use of mice to dissect the complex genetic etiology of common disorders offers a viable alternative to human studies since experimental parameters, such as environmental influences, breeding scheme, and detailed phenotyping can be controlled. This review focuses on the utility of mouse genetics for identification of complex disease genes. Atherosclerosis is used as a representative example, followed by an overview for the prospects of successful gene discovery in the future.
Allayee
Hooman
H
Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-907, USA. hallayee@usc.edu
Andalibi
Ali
A
Mehrabian
Margarete
M
D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D005819:Genetic Markers; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci
D005819:Genetic Markers