title: Structural model analysis of multiple quantitative traits.
abstract: We introduce a method for the analysis of multilocus, multitrait genetic data that provides an intuitive and precise characterization of genetic architecture. We show that it is possible to infer the magnitude and direction of causal relationships among multiple correlated phenotypes and illustrate the technique using body composition and bone density data from mouse intercross populations. Using these techniques we are able to distinguish genetic loci that affect adiposity from those that affect overall body size and thus reveal a shortcoming of standardized measures such as body mass index that are widely used in obesity research. The identification of causal networks sheds light on the nature of genetic heterogeneity and pleiotropy in complex genetic systems.
authors.affiliation: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA.
authors.forename: Renhua
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shirng-Wern
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Tsaih
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shockley
authors.forename: Ioannis M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Stylianou
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wergedal
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Paigen
authors.forename: Gary A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Churchill
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D015519:Bone Density; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D014644:Genetic Variation; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D008957:Models, Genetic; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity