Abstract
Previously analyzed F2 mice between KK/Ta and RR/Sgn strains were further investigated by defining appropriate permutation-derived threshold levels for significance and by searching pairwise gene interactions. In addition, a principal component analysis was conducted to extract a potential parameter that accounts for the joint occurrence of metabolic abnormalities. As a result, one significant interaction, containing novel QTL on chromosome 15, was identified for plasma total-cholesterol levels. For the principal component that potentially accounted for the joint occurrence of metabolic abnormalities, one significant QTL was identified on chromosome 12. This locus was not significant for any single trait. These complex genetic bases could not be disclosed as long as a separate trait was analyzed by traditional single QTL scans.
