Perspective Identification of a Cardiac Disease Modifier Gene Using Forward Genetics in the Mouse

Heart failure, the clinical syndrome that arises from inadequate cardiac pump function, is known to be influenced by genetic factors. However, thus far unbi-ased genetic approaches in humans have met with limited success in identifying heart failure modifier genes [1], likely because of substantial genetic heterogene-ity between patients and difficulty control-ling environmental factors. These limita-tions can be overcome in model systems such as the mouse, where a wealth of inbred lines, polymorphic markers, and well-characterized heart failure models are available. Taking advantage of thes