Blood pressure and heart rate QTL in mice of the B6/D2 lineage : sex differences and environmental influences

David A. Blizard, Arimantas Lionikas, David J. Vandenbergh, Terrie Vasilopoulos, Glenn S. Gerhard, James W. Griffith, Laura C. Klein, Joseph T. Stout, Holly A. Mack, Joan M. Lakoski, Lars Larsson, Jeanne M. Spicer, George P. Vogler, Gerald E. McClearn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A quantitative trait locus (QTL) approach was used to define the genetic architecture underlying variation in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR), measured indirectly on seven occasions by the tail cuff procedure. The tests were conducted in 395 F2 adult mice (191 males, 198 females) derived from a cross of the C51BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) strains and in 22 BXD recombinant-inbred (RI) strains. Interval mapping of F 2 data for the first 5 days of measurement nominated one statistically significant and one suggestive QTL for SBP on chromosomes (Chr) 4 and 14, respectively, and two statistically significant QTL for HR on Chr 1 (which was specific to female mice) and Chr 5. New suggestive QTL emerged for SBP on Chr 3 (female-specific) and 8 and for HR on Chr 11 for measurements recorded several weeks after mice had undergone stressful blood sampling procedures. The two statistically significant HR QTL were confirmed by analyses of BXD RI strain means. Male and female F 2 mice did not differ in SBP or HR but RI strain analyses showed pronounced strain-by-sex interactions and a negative genetic correlation between the two measures in both sexes. Evidence for a role for mitochondrial DNA was found for both HR and SBP. QTL for HR and SBP may differ in males and females and may be sensitive to different environmental contexts.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)158-166
Number of pages9
JournalPhysiological Genomics
Volume36
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Keywords

  • gene mapping
  • heart beat
  • mitochondrial DNA
  • sex differences

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