The Quantitative-MFG Test: A Linear Mixed Effect Model to Detect Maternal-Offspring Gene Interactions.

ABSTRACT: Maternal-offspring gene interactions, aka maternal-fetal genotype (MFG) incompatibilities, are neglected in complex diseases and quantitative trait studies. They are implicated in birth to adult onset diseases but there are limited ways to investigate their influence on quantitative traits. We present the quantitative-MFG (QMFG) test, a linear mixed model where maternal and offspring genotypes are fixed effects and residual correlations between family members are random effects. The QMFG handles families of any size, common or general scenarios of MFG incompatibility, and additional covariates. We develop likelihood ratio tests (LRTs) and rapid score tests and show they provide correct inference. In addition, the LRT's alternative model provides unbiased parameter estimates. We show that t

SUBMITTER: Clark MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4715557 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature