Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci That Determine Plasma Total-Cholesterol and Triglyceride Concentrations in DDD/Sgn and C57BL/6J Inbred Mice.

DDD/Sgn mice have significantly higher plasma lipid concentrations than C57BL/6J mice. In the present study, we performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for plasma total-cholesterol (CHO) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations in reciprocal F2 male intercross populations between the two strains. By single-QTL scans, we identified four significant QTL on chromosomes (Chrs) 1, 5, 17, and 19 for CHO and two significant QTL on Chrs 1 and 12 for TG. By including cross direction as an interactive covariate, we identified separate significant QTL on Chr 17 for CHO but none for TG. When the large phenotypic effect of QTL on Chr 1 was controlled by composite interval mapping, we identified three additional significant QTL on Chrs 3, 4, and 9 for CHO but none for TG. QTL on Chr 19 was a novel QTL for CHO and the allelic effect of this QTL significantly differed between males and females. Whole-exome sequence analysis in DDD/Sgn mice suggested that Apoa2 and Acads were the plausible candidate genes underlying CHO QTL on Chrs 1 and 5, respectively. Thus, we identified a multifactorial basis for plasma lipid concentrations in male mice. These findings will provide insight into the genetic mechanisms of plasma lipid metabolism.

1. Introduction

Plasma lipid concentrations are representative quantitative traits; that is, they are controlled by multiple genes under the influence of nonheritable environmental effects. Among plasma lipids, cholesterol (CHO) and triglyceride (TG) have clinical implications in atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease; therefore, it is crucially important to identify genes influencing variations in plasma CHO and TG concentrations [1, 2] (in this manuscript, we use the term “plasma lipid” when CHO and TG are simultaneously referred to). Many studies have aimed to dissect the genetic bases underlying plasma lipid concentrations in mice, and more than one hundred CHO QTL and more than fifty TG QTL have been reported to date ([3, 4] and Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI, http://www.informatics.jax.org/)). Most QTL identified in mice have conserved synteny with human loci that control plasma lipid concentrations and diseases [5].

We previously performed QTL mapping studies to identify plasma lipid concentrations using mouse intercrosses [6-9]. We identified several significant QTL for plasma CHO and TG concentrations in C57BL/6J × DDD.Cg-A F2 female mice [9]. In the present study, we performed QTL mapping for plasma CHO and TG concentrations in F2 male mice produced via crosses between C57BL/6J and DDD/Sgn mice. Because male intercross population produced by these strains is not previously evaluated for plasma lipid concentrations, we expect novel QTL in addition to known QTL for plasma lipid concentrations to be identified. Furthermore, because there were apparent sex differences in plasma lipid concentrations between these mouse strains (e.g., female DDD.Cg-A mice had higher TG concentrations than males, whereas male C57BL/6J mice had higher TG concentrations than females [9]), we expect genetic aspects of sex differences to be revealed. Because men have a higher risk of coronary artery disease than women [10], it is crucially important to unravel the molecular basis of sex differences in plasma lipid concentrations.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Mice

The inbred mouse strains DDD and B6 were maintained at the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS, Tsukuba, Japan). Reciprocal crosses between DDD and B6 strains produced DB (♀DDD ×  ♂B6) F1 and BD (♀B6 ×  ♂DDD) F1 mice, both of which were intercrossed to produce DB F2 (n = 150) and BD F2 (n = 150) male mice [11].

All mice were weaned at 4 weeks of age and 4-5 mice were housed together in a cage during the experiments. All mice were maintained in a specific pathogen-free facility with a regular light cycle and controlled temperature and humidity. Food (CRF-1; Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) and water were freely available throughout the experimental period. All animal procedures were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of NIAS.

2.2. Plasma Lipid Analysis

Plasma lipid concentrations were determined at the age of 11 to 14 weeks in DDD, B6, and F1 mice and at the age of 11 to 12 weeks (71–80 days after birth) in F2 mice.

Mice were euthanized with an overdose of ether immediately after weighing in the morning. Blood was collected from the heart of an individual mouse using heparin as an anticoagulant. Plasma was separated by centrifugation at 2,000 ×g for 15 min at 4°C and was stored at −80°C until use. Plasma CHO and TG concentrations were determined by enzymatic methods using clinical chemical kits (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Osaka, Japan).

2.3. Genotyping

Microsatellite sequence length polymorphisms were identified by electrophoresis after PCR amplification of genomic DNA. PCR amplification was carried out by use of a TaKaRa PCR Thermal Cycler Dice (TaKaRa Bio Inc., Shiga, Japan) under the following conditions: 1 cycle at 94°C for 3 min; 35 cycles at 94°C for 30 s, 55°C for 1 min, and 72°C for 45 s; 1 cycle at 72°C for 7 min. PCR products were separated on 10% polyacrylamide gel (Nacalai Tesque Inc., Kyoto, Japan) and were visualized by ethidium bromide (Nacalai Tesque) staining. A total of 117 microsatellite loci were genotyped. Their chromosomal positions were retrieved from MGI.

2.4. QTL Analysis

Normality of the trait data was assessed by Shapiro-Wilk W test (JMP8, SAS Institute Japan Inc., Tokyo, Japan). If the trait data did not follow a normal distribution, Box-Cox transformation was applied to the raw trait data (JMP8).

QTL mapping was performed using R/qtl version 1.38-4 [18, 19]. Single-QTL scans were performed by computing at 1 cM intervals across the entire genome using the cross direction (DB versus BD) as a covariate. Threshold logarithm of the odds (LOD) scores for significant (P < 0.05) and suggestive (P < 0.63) linkages were determined by performing 1,000 permutations [20]. After single-QTL scans, two-QTL scans were performed. In this case, we adhered strictly to the threshold recommended by Broman and Sen [18]. Finally, the combined effects of covariates and all QTL—including those that were significant and suggestive—were assessed using multiple QTL models [21].

2.5. Whole-Exome Sequence Analysis

Genomic DNA was extracted from the tail of DDD mice using a genomic DNA purification kit (Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit, Promega KK, Tokyo, Japan) and was submitted to Filgen, Inc. (Nagoya, Aichi, Japan) for exome capture and sequencing. Briefly, genomic DNA was subjected to the agarose gel and OD ratio tests to confirm the purity and concentration prior to Bioruptor (Diagenode, Inc., Denville, NJ, USA) fragmentation. Fragmented genomic DNAs were tested for size distribution and concentration using an Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100 and Nanodrop (Agilent Technologies, Wilmington, DE, USA). Illumina libraries were made from qualified fragmented genomic DNA using SPRIworks HT reagent kit (Beckman Coulter, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA), and the resulting libraries were subjected to exome enrichment using SureSelect XT Mouse All Exon Kit (Agilent Technologies) following the manufacturer's instructions. Enriched libraries were tested for enrichment by qPCR and for size distribution and concentration by an Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100. The samples were then sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq2000 (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA), which generated paired-end reads of 90 or 100 nucleotides. Data was analyzed for data quality using FASTQC (Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK). Sequence reads were mapped to the mouse reference genome (GRCm38, mm10). Read mapping and variant analyses were performed using CLC Genomics Workbench 7.0.4 and 8.5.1 (Filgen).

2.6. Statistical Analysis

Plasma lipid concentrations are represented as the mean ± SEM (mg/dL). Statistical differences between two groups were analyzed using Student's or Welch's t-tests. Tukey–Kramer honestly significant difference tests were used for statistical comparisons among more than two groups. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

3. Results

3.1. Plasma Lipid Concentrations in DDD, B6, and F1 Mice

Table 1 shows the statistical comparison of plasma CHO and TG concentrations between DDD and B6 mice and between DB F1 and BD F1 mice. Parental and F1 mice were analyzed separately. Among parental mice, both male and female DDD mice had significantly higher plasma lipid concentrations than their B6 counterparts. In F1 mice, excluding CHO concentrations in DB F1 and BD F1 males, both male and female DB F1 mice had significantly higher plasma lipid concentrations than their BD F1 counterparts. A clear lineage effect was thus observed.

Table 1

Plasma lipid concentrations in DDD, B6, DB F1, and BD F1 mice.

Plasma lipids	Sex	Mean ± SEM plasma lipids (mg/dL)		P value	Mean ± SEM plasma lipids (mg/dL) (n)		P value
		DDD	B6		DB F1	BD F1
CHO	Males	173 ± 4 (n = 38)	102 ± 5 (n = 21)	<0.0001	137 ± 4 (n = 15)	128 ± 5 (n = 12)	NS
	Females	162 ± 3 (n = 31)	92 ± 3 (n = 21)	<0.0001	119 ± 3 (n = 17)	110 ± 3 (n = 12)	<0.05
TG	Males	154 ± 11 (n = 38)	109 ± 15 (n = 21)	<0.03	200 ± 15 (n = 15)	112 ± 16 (n = 12)	<0.0005
	Females	194 ± 10 (n = 31)	43 ± 12 (n = 21)	<0.0001	108 ± 9 (n = 17)	65 ± 10 (n = 12)	<0.005

NS, not significant.

3.2. Localization of Lipid QTL in DB F2 and BD F2 Males

Histograms showing the distributions of plasma CHO and TG concentrations in 300 F2 males (data from 150 BD F2 and 150 DB F2 mice are combined) are presented in Figures 1 and 2. The distribution of CHO was bell-shaped (Figure 1(a)) but that of TG was slightly skewed (Figure 2(a)). Both traits were normalized after Box-Cox transformation (see Supplementary Figure  1 in the Supplementary Material available online at https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3178204). For CHO, the difference between BD F2 (141 ± 2 mg/dL) and DB F2 (136 ± 2 mg/dL) males was not significant (P > 0.1). For TG, the difference between BD F2 (126 ± 5 mg/dL) and DB F2 (145 ± 5 mg/dL) males was significant (P < 0.002); therefore, cross direction (BD versus DB) was included as a covariate in subsequent analyses.

Figure 1

Genome-wide scan for plasma CHO concentrations in F2 male mice. (a) A histogram showing the distribution of plasma CHO concentrations. (b) Genome-wide LOD score plot of single-QTL scans for plasma CHO concentrations (solid lines: cross direction as an additive covariate; broken lines: cross direction and body weight as additive covariates). The x-axis represents the Chrs and microsatellite marker positions, and the y-axis represents the LOD score. The horizontal broken lines indicate the genome-wide threshold LOD score for significant (P < 0.05) and suggestive (P < 0.63) linkage, respectively.

Figure 2

Genome-wide scan for plasma TG concentrations in F2 male mice. (a) A histogram showing the distribution of plasma TG concentrations. (b) Genome-wide LOD score plot of single-QTL scans for plasma TG concentrations (solid lines: cross direction as an additive covariate; broken lines: cross direction and body weight as additive covariates). The x-axis represents the Chrs and microsatellite marker positions, and the y-axis represents the LOD score. The horizontal broken lines indicate the genome-wide threshold LOD score for significant (P < 0.05) and suggestive (P < 0.63) linkage, respectively.

Genome-wide LOD score plots obtained via single-QTL scans for plasma CHO and TG concentrations in F2 males are shown in Figures 1 and 2. For CHO (Figure 1(b), solid lines), we identified three significant QTL on Chr 1@80.5 cM (Choldq1), Chr 17@35.1 cM (Choldq6), and Chr 19@8.0 cM (Choldq7) and three suggestive QTL on Chr 3@23.8 cM, Chr 5@59.8 cM, and Chr 9@37.0 cM (Table 2). The suggestive QTL on Chr 5 coincided with Choldq4, which was previously identified as a significant QTL in C57BL/6J × DDD.Cg-A F2 female populations [9]; therefore, we assigned the same gene symbol Choldq4 to this QTL. For TG (Figure 2(b), solid lines), we identified one significant QTL on Chr 1@84.5 cM (Trigdq1) and four suggestive QTL on Chr 5@50.8 cM, Chr 12@47.0 cM, Chr 14@60.3 cM, and Chr 15@53.9 cM (Table 2). We also performed two-QTL scans to identify possible pairwise interactions between QTL but failed to identify significant interactions for both traits. Multiple-regression analyses indicated that the detected QTL explain 56.7 and 27.5% of the variations in plasma CHO and TG concentrations, respectively (Table 3).

Table 2

Significant and suggestive QTL identified by genome-wide scans of F2 males.

Trait	QTLa	Chr	Peak cM	95% CIb	LODc	Nearest marker	High straind; inheritancee	Overlapping QTL
								Name	Reference
CHO	Choldq1	1	80.5	77.5–85.5	32.7	D1Mit356	DDD, Add	Cq2, Cq6, Hdlq20	[6, 8, 12]
		3	23.8	10.8–56.8	2.3	D3Mit25	B6
	Choldq4	5	59.8	17.8–75.8	2.9	D5Mit239	DDD	Hdlq1, Hdlq8	[13]
		9	37.0	12.0–59.6	2.2	D9Mit207	DDD
	Choldq6	17	35.1	17.1–51.1	3.4	D17Mit152	B6, Add	Hdlq29	[12]
	Choldq7	19	8.0	3.0–19.0	5.0	D19Mit68	DDD, Rec	Hdlq32, Hdlq48	[12, 14]
TG	Trigdq1	1	84.5	77.5–93.5	12.5	D1Mit356	DDD, Dom	Tgq3	[8]
		5	50.8	17.8–66.8	2.6	D5Mit239	DDD
	Trigdq2	12	47.0	13.0–62.0	2.9	D12Mit259	B6	Tgq23	[15]
		14	60.3	15.3–66.1	2.3	D14Mit165	DDD
		15	53.9	40.8–53.9	2.4	D15Mit193	DDD

QTL, quantitative trait loci; CI, confidence interval; LOD, logarithm of the odds.

Cross direction was included as an additive covariate in all analyses.

aQTL symbols, Choldq4 and Trigdq2 were assigned to suggestive QTL on Chrs 5 and 12, respectively, because they were identified as significant QTL if the body weight was included as an additive covariate. Choldq4 was identified as significant QTL in our previous study in female mice [9].

b95% CI was defined by a 1.5-LOD decrease.

cLOD scores for significant QTL are indicated in bold. For CHO, the threshold LOD scores for significant and suggestive QTL were 3.4 and 2.1, respectively, for autosomes and 2.8 and 1.5, respectively, for Chr X. For TG, the threshold LOD scores for significant and suggestive QTL were 3.5 and 2.1, respectively, for autosomes and 2.8 and 1.5, respectively, for Chr X.

dHigh strain-derived allele was associated with higher plasma lipids.

eMode of inheritance of high strain-derived allele. Dom, dominant; Add, additive; Rec, recessive.

Table 3

Multiple-regression analysis for plasma lipid concentrations.

Plasma lipid	Chromosome (cM)a	dfb	Variance, %c	F value
CHO	Chr1@80.5	2	34.1	113.0
	Chr3@23.8	2	2.0	6.6
	Chr5@59.8	2	3.3	11.0
	Chr9@37.0	2	4.0	13.3
	Chr17@35.1	2	4.7	15.5
	Chr19@8.0	2	3.1	10.1
	Total	12	56.7
TG	Chr1@84.5	2	15.1	30.1
	Chr5@50.8	2	2.0	4.0
	Chr12@47.0	2	2.7	5.4
	Chr14@60.3	2	2.5	5.1
	Chr15@53.9	2	1.6	3.2
	Total	10	27.5

Cross direction was also included as a covariate.

acM position on the chromosome.

bDegrees of freedom.

cPercentage of the total F2 phenotypic variance associated with each marker.

There is a significant correlation between body weight and plasma lipid concentrations. That is, based on Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, the correlation between body weight and CHO concentration was 0.4855 (Spearman's ρ, P < 0.0001), the correlation between body weight and TG concentration was 0.4505 (Spearman's ρ, P < 0.0001), and the correlation between CHO and TG concentration was 0.4874 (Spearman's ρ, P < 0.0001). Therefore, we next performed single-QTL scans by including body weight together with cross direction as additive covariates. As a result, the abovementioned suggestive QTL for CHO on Chr 5 and suggestive QTL for TG on Chr 12 were identified as significant QTL (LOD score was 3.7 for both QTL) (Figures 1(b) and 2(b), broken lines). We named QTL on Chr 12 Trigdq2 (Table 2). We also performed two-QTL scans; however, there were again no significant pairwise interactions for both traits.

We next searched for possible QTL that interact with cross direction (BD versus DB) by including cross direction as an interactive covariate. For CHO (but not TG), we identified significant QTL that interacted with cross direction on Chr 17@60.7 cM with LOD score 2.6 (threshold LOD score for significant QTL × covariate interaction was 2.4) (Figure 3(a)). Although the 95% confidence interval (CI) of this QTL (50.1–60.7 cM) slightly overlapped with that of Choldq6 (17.1–51.1 cM), we assigned a new gene symbol, Choldq8, to this QTL, because the peak positions of the two QTL rather differed (60.7 cM versus 35.1 cM). The allele effects of this QTL in DB F2 and BD F2 mice are shown in Figure 3(b) (although the CHO concentrations are shown in mg/dL, statistical analyses were done on transformed data; the allele effects of this QTL on transformed data are shown in Supplementary Figure 2).

Figure 3

Genome-wide scan for QTL × cross direction interaction for plasma CHO concentrations. (a) Genome-wide LOD score plot. The x-axis represents the Chrs and microsatellite marker positions, and the Y-axis represents the LOD score. The genome-wide threshold LOD scores for a significant QTL × cross direction interaction were 2.4 for autosomes and 3.2 for Chr X, as indicated by horizontal broken line. (b) Allelic contributions of Choldq8, which interacts with cross direction. The x-axis shows the genotypes of F2 mice partitioned according to the nearest marker locus genotypes: homozygous DDD alleles are represented by DDD/DDD, homozygous B6 alleles are represented by B6/B6, and heterozygous alleles are represented by DDD/B6. The y-axis shows the average CHO concentrations, and the error bars are SEM.

3.3. Localization of Lipid QTL in F2 Males by Composite Interval Mapping

Because of the prominent phenotypic effect exerted by the Chr 1 QTL on both traits, we performed composite interval mapping by including the nearest marker for Choldq1/Trigdq1, that is, D1Mit356, and cross direction as additive covariates. Consequently, we identified six significant QTL for CHO, that is, Chr 3@19.8 cM (Choldq9), Chr 4@23.1 cM (Choldq10), Chr 5@59.8 cM (Choldq4), Chr 9@37.0 cM (Choldq11), Chr 17@37.1 cM (Choldq6), and Chr 19@5.0 cM (Choldq7) (Figure 4 and Table 4). In contrast, we did not identify any significant QTL for TG.

Figure 4

Genome-wide LOD score plot for CHO concentrations by composite interval mapping. The x-axis represents the Chr and microsatellite marker position, and the y-axis represents the LOD score. The horizontal broken lines indicate the genome-wide threshold LOD score for significant (P < 0.05) and suggestive (P < 0.63) linkage, respectively.

Table 4

Significant and suggestive QTL when D1Mit356 was included as an additive covariate.

Trait	QTLa	Chr	Peak cM	95% CIb	LODc	Nearest marker	High straind; inheritancee	Overlapping QTL
								Name	Reference
CHO	Choldq9	3	19.8	10.8–35.8	4.2	D3Mit25	B6, Add	Cq3	[6]
	Choldq10	4	23.1	9.1–37.1	3.6	D4Mit286	B6, Add	Hdlq10	[16]
	Choldq4	5	59.8	17.8–71.8	3.7	D5Mit239	DDD, Rec	Hdlq1, Hdlq8	[13]
	Choldq2	8	39.0	16.5–51.5	2.8	D8Mit263	B6
	Choldq11	9	37.0	12.0–59.0	4.7	D9Mit207	DDD, Add	Cq4, Cq5, Hdlq17	[6, 7, 17]
	Choldq6	17	37.1	15.1–50.1	5.0	D17Mit152	B6, Rec	Hdlq29	[12]
	Choldq7	19	5.0	3.0–19.0	3.7	D19Mit68	DDD

QTL, quantitative trait loci; CI, confidence interval; LOD, logarithm of the odds.

Cross direction was also included as an additive covariate.

aQTL symbols were assigned if they were significant or if they were suggestive but were identified as a significant QTL at least once previously in different genetic crosses.

b95% CI was defined by a 1.5-LOD decrease.

cLOD scores for significant QTL are indicated in bold. The threshold LOD scores for significant and suggestive QTL were 3.4 and 2.1, respectively, for autosomes and 2.8 and 1.5, respectively, for Chr X.

dHigh strain-derived allele was associated with higher plasma lipids.

eMode of inheritance of high strain-derived allele. Add, additive; Rec, recessive.

3.4. Localization of Lipid QTL in Combined F2 Mice

Finally, we combined the data from this study on males with the previously analyzed data on B6 × DDD.Cg-A F2 females [9] and performed QTL mapping analysis. This analysis first aimed to increase the power of QTL mapping, as there was a possibility that we could identify additional and/or novel QTL and that the 95% CI for QTL could be narrowed by increasing the sample size. Second, we sought to identify possible QTL × sex interactions, as there may be QTL that significantly interact with sex. Such QTL would explain the difference in the results of QTL mapping performed between males and females. Because we analyzed two types of F2 mice, F2A and F2 non-A, in our previous study of F2 females, trait data were standardized to a mean of 0 and a variance of 1 within each group of F2 males, F2  A females, and F2 non-A females, prior to analysis. As shown in Supplementary Figures 3A and 3B, standardized CHO followed a normal distribution but standardized TG did not. When sex was included as an additive covariate, we identified one additional significant QTL on Chr 11@61.4 cM (Choldq12) for CHO but none for TG (Table 5). We did not identify any additional significant QTL for TG by nonparametric interval mapping. Although the LOD scores for some QTL were increased, the 95% CIs for QTL were not necessarily narrowed sufficiently (e.g., Choldq1 on Chr 1). By including sex as an interactive covariate, we next searched for possible QTL × sex interactions for CHO. We identified one significant sex-interacting QTL on Chr 19@10.0 cM (LOD score: 3.6, 95% CI: 3.0–26.0 cM) (Figure 5(a)). This QTL coincided with Choldq7, which was identified by the single-QTL scan; therefore, we did not assign a new gene symbol to this QTL. The allele effects of this QTL in females and males are shown in Figure 5(b). The DDD allele tended to be associated with decreased CHO concentrations in females, whereas the DDD allele was significantly associated with increased CHO concentrations in males (although the CHO concentrations are shown in mg/dL, statistical analyses were done on standardized data; the allele effects of this QTL on standardized data are shown in Supplementary Figure 4).

Table 5

Significant and suggestive QTL for CHO identified by genome-wide scans of combined F2 mice (n = 598).

QTLa	Chr	Peak cM	95% CIb	LODc	Nearest marker	High straind
Choldq1	1	79.2	77.5–82.5	64.7	Apoa2	DDD
Choldq9	3	41.8	12.8–62.8	2.5	D3Mit25	B6
Choldq4	5	47.8	17.8–72.0	2.1	D5Mit239	DDD
Choldq2	8	21.2	14.5–53.5	4.4	D8Mit191	B6
Choldq12	11	61.4	34.4–75.4	3.5	D11Mit124	DDD
	12	60.6	23.0–62.2	2.5	D12Mit141	B6
Choldq6	17	19.7	13.1–49.1	3.3	D17Mit176	B6

QTL, quantitative trait loci; CI, confidence interval; LOD, logarithm of the odds.

Sex was included as an additive covariate.

aQTL symbols were assigned if they were significant or if they were suggestive but were identified as significant QTL at least once previously in different genetic crosses [9].

b95% CI was defined by a 1.5-LOD decrease.

cLOD scores for significant QTL are indicated in bold. The threshold LOD scores for significant and suggestive QTL were 3.5 and 2.1, respectively, for autosomes and 3.7 and 2.1, respectively, for Chr X.

dHigh strain-derived allele was associated with higher plasma CHO.

Figure 5

Genome-wide scan for QTL × sex interaction for plasma CHO concentrations. (a) Genome-wide LOD score plot. The x-axis represents the Chr and microsatellite marker position, and the y-axis represents the LOD score. The genome-wide threshold LOD scores for a significant QTL × sex interaction were 2.4 for autosomes and 2.9 for Chr X, as indicated by horizontal broken line. (b) Plasma CHO concentrations based on sex and the genotypes at D19Mit68. DDD/DDD denotes mice homozygous for the DDD allele, DDD/B6 denotes mice heterozygous for the DDD and B6 alleles, and B6/B6 denotes mice homozygous for the B6 allele. Error bars indicate SEM. In female mice, two kinds of F2 mice, that is, non-A (lean) and A (obese), according to the genotype at the agouti locus were analyzed [9].

3.5. Candidate Gene Search of Sex-Interacting QTL

We submitted the term “abnormal circulating cholesterol level” as a query to the MGI database (Mammalian Phenotype Browser), resulting in the retrieval of 1197 genotypes with 1905 annotations (MGI search was done on April 28, 2017). We consulted the MGI database (Genes and Markers Query Form) to determine the chromosomal localization of candidate genes. We performed whole-exome sequence analysis to identify nonsynonymous single-nucleotide variation (nsSNV), frameshift, and nonsense mutations as well as insertion-deletion (indel) in the coding regions of candidate genes in DDD mice. Of note, we found an Asp94Gly amino-acid substitution in Acads (caused by c.281A>G at Chr 5: 115,113,143) in DDD mice; this had been proposed as the nsSNV underlying the HDL-CHO QTL on Chr 5 [22] (see Discussion). We inspected genes on Chr 19 in particular because only a few QTL for relevant traits have been mapped to this chromosome. We found five candidate genes located within the 95% CI of Choldq7 (Lrp5, Pitpnm1, Naa40, Mark2, and Bscl2) by MGI search but did not find any nsSNVs in any of these genes by whole-exome sequence analysis.

4. Discussion

This study identified a multifactorial basis for plasma lipid concentrations in F2 male mice generated by crosses between B6 and DDD inbred mice. We previously performed QTL mapping for body weight in the same F2 intercross population and identified four significant QTL on Chrs 1, 2, 5, and 17 [11]. Of these QTL, those on Chrs 1 and 5 coincided with QTL for CHO and TG concentrations, and that on Chr 17 coincided with QTL for CHO concentration on the basis of chromosomal localization (Table 2). Furthermore, the allele effect of each body weight QTL was in the same direction with that of lipid QTL. These results suggest a genetic link between body weight and plasma lipid concentrations. Indeed, we identified additional significant QTL, Choldq4 and Trigdq2, by including body weight as an additive covariate. These QTL may have indirect effect on plasma lipid concentrations by acting through body weight. Because dyslipidemia and obesity often coincide with cardiovascular disease, knowledge of the genetic factors common to body weight and plasma lipid concentrations will be crucial for our understanding of the disease [13].

There was a clear lineage effect on plasma lipid concentrations between DB F1 and BD F1 males; that is, DB F1 mice had higher plasma lipids than BD F1 mice. Based on the studies of Y-consomic mice, the lineage effect was not due to influence by Chr Y [23, 24]. Furthermore, because we observed the lineage effect in the comparison between F1 females, we concluded that the effect of Chr Y on plasma lipid concentrations is extremely small or nonexistent. Because Choldq8 (Chr 17@60.7 cM) interacts with cross direction, this QTL is involved in the observed lineage effect on CHO concentration. However, we cannot explain the lineage effect on TG concentration.

Most of the QTL identified in this study have coincidental QTL that had been reported by others [3, 4]. Above all, Choldq1 on distal Chr 1 has numerous coincidental QTL for CHO and HDL-CHO concentrations. As observed for Choldq1, QTL identified in this region are known to have extremely large phenotypic effects [6, 8, 9]. The gene underlying these QTL is most likely Apoa2. When the crosses were composed of strains carrying different Apoa2 alleles (where one strain must have an Apoa2 allele), significant CHO QTL were invariably mapped to this chromosomal region [25]. Because DDD mice have the Apoa2 allele and B6 mice have the Apoa2 allele, it is unsurprising that a significant CHO QTL was mapped to this region. Thus, Choldq1 is probably allelic with Cq2, Cq6, and Hdlq20 [6, 8, 12].

Choldq9 on Chr 3 was a coincidental QTL with Cq3, which was previously identified in B6 × KK.Cg-A F2 mice [6]. Both Choldq9 and Cq3 might be allelic because the B6 allele was associated with increased CHO concentrations in the two studies.

Choldq4 on Chr 5 has at least two coincidental QTL for HDL-CHO, that is, Hdlq1 (125 Mb) and Hdlq8 (113 Mb) [22]. Su et al. [22] identified Scarb1 as the gene underlying Hdlq1 and Acads as the gene underlying Hdlq8. In particular, they demonstrated that the Asp94Gly amino-acid substitution in Acads was likely to alter the function of this protein because this change occurred in a highly conserved region. The Gly allele was associated with high HDL-CHO concentrations. DDD mice had the Gly allele, and B6 mice carried the Asp allele, suggesting that this was the nsSNV underlying Choldq4. Interestingly, we did not identify even a suggestive CHO QTL on Chr 5 in B6 × RR F2 mice [8], and both RR and B6 mice had the Asp allele (data not shown). Whereas Su et al. [22] reported they found no amino-acid changes in Scarb1, we identified one amino-acid change, Glu37Gln (caused by c. 109G>C at Chr 5: 125,304,335), in this protein. This amino-acid substitution was not identified in RR mice, in concordance with the absence of CHO QTL in B6 × RR F2 mice. Although the phenotypic effect of this amino-acid change is unclear, Scarb1 may also be regarded as a potential candidate gene underlying Choldq4.

Choldq11 on Chr 9 was a coincidental QTL with Cq4 and Cq5, which were previously identified in B6 × KK.Cg-A F2 mice [6] and in KK × RR F2 mice [7], respectively. A proximal part of Chr 9 is known to have many genes relevant to lipid metabolism, including Apoa1, Apoc3, Apoa4, Apoa5, and Lipc, and multiple QTL including Cq4, Cq5, and Hdlq17 [17] have been reported. We previously hypothesized that the lipid-associated QTL on Chr 9 were most likely due to polymorphisms in Apoa4 [25]. We showed that a silent nucleotide change (c. 771C>T) in Apoa4 was well correlated with the incidence of the CHO QTL. However, we did not identify this nucleotide change in DDD mice. Furthermore, we did not identify any amino-acid changes in Apoa1, Apoc3, Apoa5, and Lipc in DDD mice. Thus, we currently do not have any evidence that suggests that the above-mentioned genes are causative of Choldq11.

Based on their chromosomal localizations, two QTL have been reported as coincidental QTL with Choldq6 on Chr 17. One was identified in an interspecific cross between CAST/Ei and B6 (no gene symbols were assigned) [26] and the other was Hdlq29, which was identified in an intercross population between NZB/BlNJ and B6 [12]. However, at variance with Choldq6, both QTL were identified only when the mice were fed on an atherogenic diet.

A relevant QTL mapped close to Choldq7 on Chr 19 is Hdlq48, which was identified in an F2 intercross between B6 and A/J mice [14]. The peak position of Hdlq48 was 4 cM with a 95% CI of 0–14 cM. However, at this QTL, the B6 allele was associated with higher HDL-CHO concentrations with an overdominant inheritance mode. These were apparently at variance with those of Choldq7, in which the B6 allele was associated with lower CHO concentrations with a dominant inheritance mode (Table 2). Another QTL, Hdlq32 (peak position of 26 cM with a 95% CI of 10–70 cM), was also located on Chr 19 [12]. Although the 95% CI for Hdlq32 overlapped with that for Choldq7 (peak position of 7 cM with a 95% CI of 3–20 cM), the peak position differed. Furthermore, there were substantial differences between the two QTL; that is, Hdlq32 was identified only when the mice were fed on a high-fat diet, and the phenotypic effect was observed only in females. Thus, there is no evidence supporting the possibility that both QTL are allelic. Thus, Choldq7 on Chr 19 was suggested to be a novel QTL.

Because of its chromosomal localization, Apoa2 appears to be the most suitable candidate gene underlying TG QTL (Trigdq1). However, we do not believe this to be the case for the following reasons. All three inbred strains, namely, RR, DDD.Cg-A (DDD), and KK.Cg-A (KK), have the Apoa2 allele. A significant TG QTL was identified in the Apoa2 region in B6 × RR F2 female mice [8], B6 × DDD.Cg-A (DDD) F2 female mice [9], and the present F2 male mice but was not identified in B6 × KK.Cg-A (KK) F2 mice [6]. Thus, it appears that RR and DDD mice carry a different Trigdq1 allele than KK mice, and we suspect that Apoa2 is not the gene underlying Trigdq1. Several reports support this hypothesis; for example, Ishimori et al. performed QTL mapping for HDL-CHO and TG in F2 intercross populations between B6 and 129S1/SvImJ inbred mice and identified significant HDL-CHO QTL on distal Chr 1 but did not identify any TG QTL [13, 17]. Su et al. [27] performed QTL mapping for HDL-CHO and TG in F2 intercross populations between B6 and C3H/HeJ mice. They identified significant QTL for HDL-CHO but not for TG. Thus, the gene underlying the TG QTL identified on distal Chr 1 in mouse intercross populations is unlikely to be Apoa2.

Although numerous QTL for plasma lipid concentrations have been reported, there are additional QTL that remain to be identified. QTL analyses using a new strain combination will identify additional QTL. Identification of coincidental QTL will further substantiate the candidate genes underlying previously reported QTL.

Supplementary Figures 1 and 3: Histograms of plasma CHO and TG concentrations. Supplementary Figure 2: Allelic contributions of Choldq8, which interacts with cross direction. Supplementary Figure 4: Allelic contributions of Choldq7, which interacts with sex.