An extension of the regression of offspring on mid-parent to test for association and estimate locus-specific heritability: the revised ROMP method.
The Regression of Offspring on Mid-Parent (ROMP) method is a test of association between a quantitative trait and a candidate locus. ROMP estimates the trait heritability and the heritability attributable to a locus and requires genotyping the offspring only. In this study, the theory underlying ROMP was revised (ROMP(rev)) and extended. Computer simulations were used to determine the type I error and power of the test of association, and the accuracy of the locus-specific heritability estimate. The ROMP(rev) test had good power at the 5% significance level with properly controlled type I error. Locus-specific heritability estimates were, on average, close to simulated values. For non-zero locus-specific heritability, the proposed standard error was downwardly biased, yielding reduced coverage of 95% confidence intervals. A bootstrap approach with proper coverage is suggested as a second step for loci of interest. ROMP(rev) was applied to a study of cardiovascular-related traits to illustrate its use. An association between polymorphisms within the fibrinogen gene cluster and plasma fibrinogen was detected (p < 0.005) that accounted for 29% of the estimated fibrinogen heritability. The ROMP(rev) method provides a computationally fast and simple way of testing for association and obtaining accurate estimates of locus-specific heritability while minimizing the genotyping required.
Genometrics Section, Inherited Disease Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
M-H
MH
Roy-Gagnon
R A
RA
Mathias
M D
MD
Fallin
S H
SH
Jee
K W
KW
Broman
A F
AF
Wilson
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D005810:Multigene Family; D009679:Nuclear Family; D010290:Parents; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012107:Research Design
D005340:Fibrinogen