title: A quantitative trait locus for variation in dopamine metabolism mapped in a primate model using reference sequences from related species.
abstract: Non-human primates (NHP) provide crucial research models. Their strong similarities to humans make them particularly valuable for understanding complex behavioral traits and brain structure and function. We report here the genetic mapping of an NHP nervous system biologic trait, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentration of the dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA), in an extended inbred vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus) pedigree. CSF HVA is an index of CNS dopamine activity, which is hypothesized to contribute substantially to behavioral variations in NHP and humans. For quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, we carried out a two-stage procedure. We first scanned the genome using a first-generation genetic map of short tandem repeat markers. Subsequently, using >100 SNPs within the most promising region identified by the genome scan, we mapped a QTL for CSF HVA at a genome-wide level of significance (peak logarithm of odds score >4) to a narrow well delineated interval (<10 Mb). The SNP discovery exploited conserved segments between human and rhesus macaque reference genome sequences. Our findings demonstrate the potential of using existing primate reference genome sequences for designing high-resolution genetic analyses applicable across a wide range of NHP species, including the many for which full genome sequences are not yet available. Leveraging genomic information from sequenced to nonsequenced species should enable the utilization of the full range of NHP diversity in behavior and disease susceptibility to determine the genetic basis of specific biological and behavioral traits.
authors: Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. nfreimer@mednet.ucla.edu
authors: Nelson B
authors: NB
authors: Freimer
authors: Susan K
authors: SK
authors: Service
authors: Roel A
authors: RA
authors: Ophoff
authors: Anna J
authors: AJ
authors: Jasinska
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: McKee
authors: Amelie
authors: A
authors: Villeneuve
authors: Alexandre
authors: A
authors: Belisle
authors: Julia N
authors: JN
authors: Bailey
authors: Sherry E
authors: SE
authors: Breidenthal
authors: Matthew J
authors: MJ
authors: Jorgensen
authors: J John
authors: JJ
authors: Mann
authors: Rita M
authors: RM
authors: Cantor
authors: Ken
authors: K
authors: Dewar
authors: Lynn A
authors: LA
authors: Fairbanks
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004298:Dopamine / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016678:Genome; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011323:Primates; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid