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Linkage analysis: principles and methods for the analysis of human quantitative traits
1Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. manuelF@qimr.edu.au
Summary
This review explores linkage methods for mapping genes influencing complex human traits. It discusses common and advanced techniques, their error rates, and power, offering guidance for choosing the best statistical approach for quantitative trait loci (QTL) discovery.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Statistical Genetics
- Human Trait Mapping
Background:
- Gene mapping for complex human traits uses linkage and association analyses.
- Both methods have limitations, increasing type-1 error rates and reducing power for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping.
Purpose of the Study:
- This review focuses on linkage methods for QTL mapping.
- It summarizes common and recent statistical approaches, discussing their performance.
Main Methods:
- Summarizes Haseman-Elston-based methods, variance components, and trait-conditioned statistics.
- Includes newer methods for X-chromosome, imprinting, and allelic association in linkage analysis.
Main Results:
- Discusses the type-1 error rate and statistical power of various linkage methods.
- Highlights limitations and performance characteristics of different QTL mapping techniques.
Conclusions:
- Provides guidelines for selecting appropriate linkage statistics for QTL mapping.
- Emphasizes the importance of understanding method limitations for accurate gene mapping.