Experiment
A search for candidate genes was performed using DU6 and DU6i high body weight selection lines and lean unselected lines DUKs and DBA/2. RNA from epididymal fat tissue of 20 males from each line (DU6, DU6i, DUKs and DBA2/J) was pooled for analysis in Affymetrix GeneChips and resulted in the identification of 77 differentially expressed candidate genes. Of these, 14 genes are located in QTLs intervals affecting body weight and abdominal fat weight.
On mouse Chromosome 4, candidate gene Ak2 (61 cM) is upregulated in selected lines while candidate gene Ubxd5 at 65.7 cM (formerly 4930506L07Rik) is downregulated in selected lines. These genes map to the Afw14 QTL interval at 66 cM.
On mouse Chromosome 5, candidate gene Mcm7 is downregulated in selected lines compared to unselected lines. This gene is located near the Afw15 (80 cM) and Bw13 (81 cM) QTL intervals.
On mouse Chromosome 7, candidate genes Ldhc (23.5 cM) and Stard10 exhibit decreased expression in selected versus unselected lines. These genes are located near the Afw9 (23 cM) QTL interval.
On mouse Chromosome 11, candidate gene Prkca (68 cM) is upregulated in selected lines versus unselected lines. Candidate genes Ero1lb (formerly 1300013B24Rik-*note the current location of this gene according to assembly data inthe Mouse Genome Database is chromosome 13) and EST AA178476 map to the Bw4 QTL interval at 55 cM and display increased expression in selected lines compared to unselected lines. Zpbp is down-regulated in selected lines compared tounselected lines and maps to the Afw5 (10 cM) and Bw16 (14 cM) QTL intervals.
On mouse Chromosome 12, candidate gene Serpina3c maps near the Afw10 (21 cM) and Bw9 (17 cM) QTL intervals and is upregulated in selected lines. These genes are upregulated inselected lines compared to unselected lines. Candidate gene Cox8a (*note- the current location of this gene according to data in the Mouse Genome Database is chromosome 19) also maps to the same QTL intervals but is downregulated in selected lines comparedto unselected lines. Candidate gene Igh-1a (58 cM) maps near QTL Afw10 and is upregulated in selected lines compared to unselected lines.
On mouse Chromosome 13, candidate genes Hfe (15 cM) and Hist1h1c (formerly H1f2) map near the Afw18 QTL interval (11cM). These genes are upregulated in selected lines compared to unselected lines.
Analysis Tools