TY - JOUR T1 - Systems genetic analysis of binge-like eating in a C57BL/6J x DBA/2J-F2 cross JF - bioRxiv DO - 10.1101/2020.06.24.168930 SP - 2020.06.24.168930 AU - Emily J. Yao AU - Richard K. Babbs AU - Julia C. Kelliher AU - Kimberly P. Luttik AU - M. Imad Damaj AU - Megan K. Mulligan AU - Camron D. Bryant Y1 - 2020/01/01 UR - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/06/24/2020.06.24.168930.abstract N2 - Objective Binge eating is a heritable quantitative trait associated with eating disorders (ED) and refers to the rapid consumption of a large quantity of energy-dense food that is associated with loss of control, anxiety, and depression. Binge Eating Disorder is the most common ED in adults in the US; however, the genetic basis is unknown. We previously identified robust mouse inbred strain differences between C57BL/6J and DBA/2J in binge-like eating (BLE) of sweetened palatable food (PF) in an intermittent access, conditioned place preference paradigm.Methods To map the genetic basis of BLE, we phenotyped and genotyped 128 C57BL/6J x DBA/2J-F2 mice.Results We identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 13 influencing progressive changes in body weight across training days (LOD = 5.5; 26-39 cM). We also identified two sex-combined QTLs influencing PF intake on chromosome 5 (LOD = 5.6; 1.5-LOD interval = 21-28 cM) and 6 (LOD = 5.3; 1.5-LOD interval = 50-59 cM). Furthermore, sex-specific analyses revealed that the chromosome 6 locus was driven by males (1.5-LOD interval: 52-59 cM) and identified a female-selective QTL for BLE on chromosome 18 (LOD = 4.1; 1.5-LOD interval: 23-35 cM). Systems genetic analysis of the chromosome 6 locus for BLE using GeneNetwork legacy trait datasets from BXD recombinant inbred strains identified Adipor2 and Plxnd1 as two positional, functional, biological candidate genes.Discussion We identified genetic loci influencing BLE. Future studies will phenotype BXD recombinant inbred strains to fine map loci and support candidate gene nomination and validation.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest. ER -