We illustrate the growing power of the BXD family of mice (recombinant inbred strains from a cross of C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice) and companion bioinformatic tools to study complex genome-phenome relations related to glaucoma. Over the past 16 years, our group has integrated powerful murine resources and web-accessible tools to identify networks modulating visual system traits-from photoreceptors to the visual cortex. Recent studies focused on retinal ganglion cells and glaucoma risk factors, including intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), and susceptibility of cellular stress. The BXD family was exploited to define key gene variants and then establish linkage to glaucoma in human cohorts. The power of this experimental approach to precision medicine is highlighted by recent studies that defined cadherin 11 (Cdh11) and a calcium channel (Cacna2d1) as genes modulating IOP, Pou6f2 as a genetic link between CCT and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death, and Aldh7a1 as a gene that modulates the susceptibility of RGCs to death after elevated IOP. The role of three of these gene variants in glaucoma is discussed, along with the pathways activated in the disease process.
Pubmed ID: 32180682 RIS Download
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Web platform that provides access to data and tools to study complex networks of genes, molecules, and higher order gene function and phenotypes. Sequence data (SNPs) and transcriptome data sets (expression genetic or eQTL data sets). Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping module that is built into GN is optimized for fast on-line analysis of traits that are controlled by combinations of gene variants and environmental factors. Used to study humans, mice (BXD, AXB, LXS, etc.), rats (HXB), Drosophila, and plant species (barley and Arabidopsis). Users are welcome to enter their own private data.
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