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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #253871
Title: Genetic Analysis of Genome-Wide Transcriptional Regulation through eQTL Mapping in Soy

Author
item Bolon, Yung Tsi
item Hyten, David
item ORF, JAMES - University Of Minnesota
item Vance, Carroll
item MUEHLBAUER, GARY - University Of Minnesota

Submitted to: International Conference on Legume Genomics and Genetics
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2010
Publication Date: 7/2/2010
Citation: Bolon, Y.E., Hyten, D.L., Orf, J., Vance, C.P., Muehlbauer, G. 2010. Genetic Analysis of Genome-Wide Transcriptional Regulation through eQTL Profiling in Soy [abstract]. Vth International Conference on Legume Genomics and Genetics, July 2-8, 2010, Pacific Grove, California. p. 128.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Variation in gene transcript accumulation levels can be measured to map underlying expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL). Coincident genetic locations of eQTL and phenotypic QTL provide the basis for further investigation of the molecular mechanisms involved. Genetic analysis of expression trait (e-trait) variation also possesses the power to establish relationships between multiple regions of the genome and to identify transcriptional regulators. In this study, gene transcript profiling by Soy Genome Affymetrix Genechip was conducted on the developing seed of the Minsoy x Noir1 soybean recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. This RIL population was chosen due to the existence of wide genetic variation and extensive prior phenotypic characterization. In parallel, we refined the Minsoy x Noir1 genetic map with 500 SNP markers. We combined the SNP map and transcript accumulation data to map 2,500 eQTL among 30,681 e-traits. We observed that the eQTL location for many e-traits mapped back to their genomic positions, as expected for cis-acting regulatory effects. In addition, eQTL positions were found that correlated with previously mapped phenotypic QTL for seed traits. Notably, a strong cis-acting eQTL on chromosome 20 was identified for a previously reported candidate gene for the regulation of seed protein levels. Finally, more than 20 different hotspots of trans-acting eQTL were identified, forming the basis for additional study of gene regulatory networks.