In Silico Genetics: Identification of a Functional Element Regulating <i>H2</i> - <i>E</i> α Gene Expression

TLDR

Computational tools accelerate analysis of murine genetic models. The study develops a computational method to map phenotypic traits that vary among inbred strains onto haplotypic blocks. The method maps traits to haplotypic blocks and identifies allele‑specific functional elements regulating H2‑Eα expression. It accurately predicts strain‑specific genetic bases for traits, discovers a YY1/serum‑response‑factor binding element in the first intron of H2‑Eα, and offers broad utility for uncovering genetic determinants of diverse phenotypes in inbred mice.

Abstract

Computational tools can markedly accelerate the rate at which murine genetic models can be analyzed. We developed a computational method for mapping phenotypic traits that vary among inbred strains onto haplotypic blocks. This method correctly predicted the genetic basis for strain-specific differences in several biologically important traits. It was also used to identify an allele-specific functional genomic element regulating H2-Ealpha gene expression. This functional element, which contained the binding sites for YY1 and a second transcription factor that is probably serum response factor, is located within the first intron of the H2-Ealpha gene. This computational method will greatly improve our ability to identify the genetic basis for a variety of phenotypic traits, ranging from qualitative trait information to quantitative gene expression data, which vary among inbred mouse strains.