High-resolution mapping of expression-QTLs yields insight into human gene regulation.
Recent studies of the HapMap lymphoblastoid cell lines have identified large numbers of quantitative trait loci for gene expression (eQTLs). Reanalyzing these data using a novel Bayesian hierarchical model, we were able to create a surprisingly high-resolution map of the typical locations of sites that affect mRNA levels in cis. Strikingly, we found a strong enrichment of eQTLs in the 250 bp just upstream of the transcription end site (TES), in addition to an enrichment around the transcription start site (TSS). Most eQTLs lie either within genes or close to genes; for example, we estimate that only 5% of eQTLs lie more than 20 kb upstream of the TSS. After controlling for position effects, SNPs in exons are approximately 2-fold more likely than SNPs in introns to be eQTLs. Our results suggest an important role for mRNA stability in determining steady-state mRNA levels, and highlight the potential of eQTL mapping as a high-resolution tool for studying the determinants of gene regulation.
Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. jb.veyrieras@gmail.com
Jean-Baptiste
JB
Veyrieras
Sridhar
S
Kudaravalli
Su Yeon
SY
Kim
Emmanouil T
ET
Dermitzakis
Yoav
Y
Gilad
Matthew
M
Stephens
Jonathan K
JK
Pritchard
D001499:Bayes Theorem; D002874:Chromosome Mapping / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D008957:Models, Genetic; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D020871:RNA Stability; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013728:Terminator Regions, Genetic; D024363:Transcription Initiation Site
D012333:RNA, Messenger