Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Interpopulation linkage disequilibrium patterns of GABRA2 and GABRG1 genes at the GABA cluster locus on human chromosome 4
Genomics Article in Press, Corrected Proof 5 November 2007




GABRA2 and GABRG1, which encode the α-2 and γ-1 subunits, respectively, of the GABAA receptor, are located in a cluster on chromosome 4p. The GABRA2 locus has been found to be associated with alcohol dependence in several studies, but no functional variant that can account for this association has been identified.

To understand the reported associations, we sought to understand the linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns and haplotype structures of these genes. With close intergenic distance, not, vert, similar 90 kb, it was anticipated that some markers might show intergenic LD.

Variation in 13-SNP haplotype block structure was observed in five different populations: European American, African American, Chinese (Han and Thai), Thai, and Hmong. In the Hmong, a 280-kb region of considerably higher LD spans the intergenic region, whereas in other populations, there were two or more LD blocks that cross this region.

These findings may aid in understanding the genetic association of this locus with alcohol dependence in several populations.


Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: joel.gelernter@yale.edu
_________________________________________________________________
at