Whole-genome RNA-deep sequencing of pancreatic islets of congenic Nidd/DBA mice

Here, we describe the QTL Nidd/DBA, a diabetogenic allele which was contributed by DBA and enhanced hyperglycemia and beta-cell loss. In order to re-address the issue of which variants on chromosome 4 are responsible for this trait, Nidd/DBA recombinant congenic lines were generated on an NZO background. Gene expression profiles of pancreatic islets were generated from congenic mice carrying the initial 13.6 Mbp fragment (RCS-I) of the Nidd/DBA locus. Six genes within the critical region were differentially expressed in pancreatic islets of homozygous Nidd/DBAD/D mice compared to homozygous Nidd/DBAN/N controls. Analysis of pancreatic islets of 6-week old mice本研究对QTL（Quantitative Trait Locus）Nidd/DBA进行了详细阐述：该位点为一类致糖尿病等位基因，由DBA小鼠品系贡献，可加剧高血糖症状并诱发胰岛β细胞丢失。为重新明确4号染色体上哪些变异与该性状相关，研究人员在NZO小鼠背景上构建了Nidd/DBA重组同类系（recombinant congenic lines）。随后，研究人员从携带Nidd/DBA位点初始13.6 Mbp片段（命名为RCS-I）的同类系小鼠中，获取了胰腺胰岛的基因表达谱。相较于纯合Nidd/DBAN/N对照小鼠，纯合Nidd/DBAD/D小鼠的胰腺胰岛中，关键区域内的6个基因存在差异表达。针对6周龄小鼠的胰腺胰岛开展了分析。