Identification of two sex-specific quantitative trait loci in chromosome 11q for hip bone mineral density in Chinese.
BACKGROUND
Chromosome 11q has not only been found to contain mutations responsible for the several Mendelian disorders of the skeleton, but it has also been linked to bone mineral density (BMD) variation in several genome-wide linkage studies. Furthermore, quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting BMD in inbred mice and baboons have been mapped to a region syntenic to human chromosome 11q. The aim of the present study is to determine whether there is a QTL for BMD variation on chromosome 11q in the Chinese population.


METHODS
Nineteen microsatellite markers were genotyped for a 75 cM region on 11q13-25 in 306 Chinese families with 1,459 subjects. BMD (g/cm(2)) was measured by DXA. Linkage analyses were performed using the variance component linkage analysis method implemented in Merlin software.


RESULTS
For women, a maximum LOD score of 1.62 was achieved at 90.8 cM on 11q21 near the marker D11S4175 for femoral neck BMD; LOD scores greater than 1.0 were observed on 11q13 for trochanter BMD. For men, a maximum LOD score of 1.57 was achieved at 135.8 cM on 11q24 near the marker D11S4126 for total hip BMD.


CONCLUSIONS
We have not only replicated the previous linkage finding on chromosome 11q but also identified two sex-specific QTL that contribute to BMD variation in Chinese women and men.
Huang
Qing-Yang
QY
Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
Ng
Mandy Y M
MY
Cheung
Ching-Lung
CL
Chan
Vivian
V
Sham
Pak-Chung
PC
Kung
Annie W C
AW
D015519:Bone Density / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D002681:China; D002880:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci