For example, in the Chr 9 locus, examination of hepatic eQTL identified 4 candidates; Nnmt (p = 1.27×10−8), 2310030G06Rik (p = 5.42×10−7), Alg9 (p = 1.05×10−6), and 1110032A03Rik (p = 2.27×10−6), whose eQTL are regulated by a SNP in high LD (r2>0.5) with the associated SNP for atherosclerosis. The gene discussed is NNMT; the disease is atherosclerosis.