Science and Research

Sixteen diverse laboratory mouse reference genomes define strain-specific haplotypes and novel functional loci

We report full-length draft de novo genome assemblies for 16 widely used inbred mouse strains and find extensive strain-specific haplotype variation. We identify and characterize 2,567 regions on the current mouse reference genome exhibiting the greatest sequence diversity. These regions are enriched for genes involved in pathogen defence and immunity and exhibit enrichment of transposable elements and signatures of recent retrotransposition events. Combinations of alleles and genes unique to an individual strain are commonly observed at these loci, reflecting distinct strain phenotypes. We used these genomes to improve the mouse reference genome, resulting in the completion of 10 new gene structures. Also, 62 new coding loci were added to the reference genome annotation. These genomes identified a large, previously unannotated, gene (Efcab3-like) encoding 5,874 amino acids. Mutant Efcab3-like mice display anomalies in multiple brain regions, suggesting a possible role for this gene in the regulation of brain development.

  • Lilue, J.
  • Doran, A. G.
  • Fiddes, I. T.
  • Abrudan, M.
  • Armstrong, J.
  • Bennett, R.
  • Chow, W.
  • Collins, J.
  • Collins, S.
  • Czechanski, A.
  • Danecek, P.
  • Diekhans, M.
  • Dolle, D. D.
  • Dunn, M.
  • Durbin, R.
  • Earl, D.
  • Ferguson-Smith, A.
  • Flicek, P.
  • Flint, J.
  • Frankish, A.
  • Fu, B.
  • Gerstein, M.
  • Gilbert, J.
  • Goodstadt, L.
  • Harrow, J.
  • Howe, K.
  • Ibarra-Soria, X.
  • Kolmogorov, M.
  • Lelliott, C. J.
  • Logan, D. W.
  • Loveland, J.
  • Mathews, C. E.
  • Mott, R.
  • Muir, P.
  • Nachtweide, S.
  • Navarro, F. C. P.
  • Odom, D. T.
  • Park, N.
  • Pelan, S.
  • Pham, S. K.
  • Quail, M.
  • Reinholdt, L.
  • Romoth, L.
  • Shirley, L.
  • Sisu, C.
  • Sjoberg-Herrera, M.
  • Stanke, M.
  • Steward, C.
  • Thomas, M.
  • Threadgold, G.
  • Thybert, D.
  • Torrance, J.
  • Wong, K.
  • Wood, J.
  • Yalcin, B.
  • Yang, F.
  • Adams, D. J.
  • Paten, B.
  • Keane, T. M.
Publication details
DOI: 10.1038/s41588-018-0223-8
Journal: Nature genetics
Work Type: Original
Location: TLRC
Disease Area: General Lung and Other
Partner / Member: EMBL
Access-Number: 30275530
See publication on PubMed

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