Multiple Trait Covariance Association Test Identifies Gene Ontology Categories Associated with Chill Coma Recovery Time in Drosophila melanogaster.

The genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) model has proven to be useful for prediction of complex traits as well as estimation of population genetic parameters. Improved inference and prediction accuracy of GBLUP may be achieved by identifying genomic regions enriched for causal genetic variants. We aimed at searching for patterns in GBLUP-derived single-marker statistics, by including them in genetic marker set tests, that could reveal associations between a set of genetic markers (genomic feature) and a complex trait. GBLUP-derived set tests proved to be powerful for detecting genomic features, here defined by gene ontology (GO) terms, enriched for causal variants affecting a quantitative trait in a population with low degree of relatedness. Different set test approaches were compared using simulated data illustrating the impact of trait- and genomic feature-specific factors on detection power. We extended the most powerful single trait set test, covariance association test (CVAT), to a multiple trait setting. The multiple trait CVAT (MT-CVAT) identified functionally relevant GO categories associated with the quantitative trait, chill coma recovery time, in the unrelated, sequenced inbred lines of the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel.

Modulation of neurotoxicant-induced increases in intracellular calcium by phytoestrogens differ for amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridine (MPP(+)).

Neurotoxicant-induced elevation of intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) and modulation by phystoestrogens were examined in vitro using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells cultured with amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridine (MPP+). Although Abeta itself did not increase Ca(2+), it exacerbated the effects of carbachol. The elevation of Ca(2+) caused by the agents in combination could be reduced by pretreatment with the phytoestrogens equol and genistein, as well as by the L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker nifedipine. MPP+ exposure also elevated Ca(2+), an effect blocked by nifedipine but not by the phytoestrogens. As opposed to phytoestrogens, nifedipine was also able to significantly reduce cell death caused by higher concentrations of MPP(+) in the LDH viability assay. The results suggest that phytoestrogens are unlikely to serve as general cellular protectants for neurotoxicants with different mechanisms of action. The concentrations of Abeta and MPP(+) affecting Ca(2+) release did not inhibit cell viability as measured with the LDH release assay. This indicates that mechanisms involved with toxicity can be studied at doses that are not lethal.