Unsupervised, Statistically Based Systems Biology Approach for Unraveling the Genetics of Complex Traits: A Demonstration with Ethanol Metabolism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A statistical pipeline was developed and used for determining candidate genes and candidate gene coexpression networks involved in 2 alcohol (i.e., ethanol [EtOH]) metabolism phenotypes, namely alcohol clearance and acetate area under the curve in a recombinant inbred (RI) (HXB/BXH) rat panel. The approach was also used to provide an indication of how EtOH metabolism can impact the normal function of the identified networks.

Methods

RNA was extracted from alcohol-naïve liver tissue of 30 strains of HXB/BXH RI rats. The reconstructed transcripts were quantitated, and data were used to construct gene coexpression modules and networks. A separate group of rats, comprising the same 30 strains, were injected with EtOH (2 g/kg) for measurement of blood EtOH and acetate

SUBMITTER: Lusk R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6028286 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature