Linkage analysis Flashcards
What is genetic variation?
differences in the DNA sequence between individuals in a population
Variation can be either:
- inherited
- due to environmental factors( e.g. drugs, radiation exposure)
What is the importance of genetic variation?
- underlies phenotypic differences among different individuals
- determines predisposition to complex disease and responses to drugs + environmental factors
- reveals clues of ancestral human migration history
What are the mechanisms of genetic variation?
Mutation/Polymorphism
- errors in DNA replication which may affect single nucleotides or larger portions of DNA
- e.g. Germline, Somatic or de Novo mutations
Gene Flow/Migration
-movement of genes from one population to another
Genetic Recombination
-shuffling of chromosomal segments between homologous chromosomes of a pair
What is the difference between mutation and polymorphism?
Mutation is a rare change in the DNA sequence, whereas a polymorphism is a common change in the DNA sequence
Polymorphism minor allele frequency >1%
Mutation minor allele frequency <1%
Describe recombination/crossing over in meiosis.
The exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids of maternal and paternal homologous chromosomes during prophase 1 in meiosis, which results in new allelic combinations in the daughter cells.
What can genetic recombination be used in?
Linkage analysis to track regions of the genome that are being transmitted throughout a family
What is a haplotype?
a combination of alleles on a single chromosome that are inherited as a single unit
What is Mendelian monogenic inheritance?
disease that is caused by a single gene, with little or no impact from the environment (e.g. PKD)
What is Non-Mendelian polygenic inheritance?
diseases or traits caused by the impact of many different genes, each having only a small individual impact on final condition (e.g. psoriasis)
What is multifactorial inheritance?
diseases or traits resulting from an interaction between multiple genes and often multiple environmental factors (e.g. heart disease)
Describe the relationship between Variant frequency and penetrance in mendelian and non-mendelian disorders.
Mendelian single gene disorders:
- rare variant frequency (mutation)
- high penetrance/effect
Non-mendelian polygenic complex disorders:
- common variant frequency (polymorphism)
- low penetrance/effect
What is gene linkage?
the tendency of DNA sequences that are close together on a chromosome to be inherited together during meiosis
What is linkage analysis?
method used to map the location of a disease gene in the genome by searching for the chromosomal segments that co-segregate with the disease phenotype through families
> we can use genetic markers to identify the location of a disease gene based on their physical proximity
Describe the process of linkage analysis.
If each family member with a particular disease or trait inherits a particular DNA marker, then it is very likely that the gene responsible for the disease or trait lies near that marker
*the more DNA markers there are on a genetic map, the more likely it is that at least one marker will be located close to a disease gene- and the easier it will be for researchers to narrow down on that gene
How are maps used in linkage analysis?
Genetic Maps
-information based on the recombination frequency between DNA markers; maps are population specific
Physical Maps
-information on physical distance between loci, with distance measured in base pairs
