Abstract
One of the persistent problems in biology is understanding how genetic variation contributes to phenotypic variation. Associations at many levels have been reported, and yet causal inference has remained elusive. We propose to rely on the knowledge of causal relationships established by molecular biology approaches. The existing molecular knowledge forms a firm backbone upon which hypotheses connecting genetic variation, transcriptional variation and phenotypic variation can be built. The sex determination pathway is a well-established molecular network, with the Yolk protein 1-3 (Yp) genes as the most downstream target. Our analyses reveal that genetic variation in expression for genes known to be upstream in the pathway explains variation in downstream targets. Relationships differ between the two sexes, and each Yp has a distinct transcriptional pattern. Yp expression is significantly negatively correlated with longevity, an important life history trait, for both males and females.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 226-234 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Heredity |
Volume | 109 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 2012 |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Genetics
- Genetics(clinical)
Cite this
Genetic variation in the Yolk protein expression network of Drosophila melanogaster : Sex-biased negative correlations with longevity. / Tarone, A. M.; McIntyre, L. M.; Harshman, L. G.; Nuzhdin, S. V.
In: Heredity, Vol. 109, No. 4, 01.10.2012, p. 226-234.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Genetic variation in the Yolk protein expression network of Drosophila melanogaster
T2 - Sex-biased negative correlations with longevity
AU - Tarone, A. M.
AU - McIntyre, L. M.
AU - Harshman, L. G.
AU - Nuzhdin, S. V.
PY - 2012/10/1
Y1 - 2012/10/1
N2 - One of the persistent problems in biology is understanding how genetic variation contributes to phenotypic variation. Associations at many levels have been reported, and yet causal inference has remained elusive. We propose to rely on the knowledge of causal relationships established by molecular biology approaches. The existing molecular knowledge forms a firm backbone upon which hypotheses connecting genetic variation, transcriptional variation and phenotypic variation can be built. The sex determination pathway is a well-established molecular network, with the Yolk protein 1-3 (Yp) genes as the most downstream target. Our analyses reveal that genetic variation in expression for genes known to be upstream in the pathway explains variation in downstream targets. Relationships differ between the two sexes, and each Yp has a distinct transcriptional pattern. Yp expression is significantly negatively correlated with longevity, an important life history trait, for both males and females.
AB - One of the persistent problems in biology is understanding how genetic variation contributes to phenotypic variation. Associations at many levels have been reported, and yet causal inference has remained elusive. We propose to rely on the knowledge of causal relationships established by molecular biology approaches. The existing molecular knowledge forms a firm backbone upon which hypotheses connecting genetic variation, transcriptional variation and phenotypic variation can be built. The sex determination pathway is a well-established molecular network, with the Yolk protein 1-3 (Yp) genes as the most downstream target. Our analyses reveal that genetic variation in expression for genes known to be upstream in the pathway explains variation in downstream targets. Relationships differ between the two sexes, and each Yp has a distinct transcriptional pattern. Yp expression is significantly negatively correlated with longevity, an important life history trait, for both males and females.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84866595947&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84866595947&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/hdy.2012.34
DO - 10.1038/hdy.2012.34
M3 - Article
C2 - 22760232
AN - SCOPUS:84866595947
VL - 109
SP - 226
EP - 234
JO - Heredity
JF - Heredity
SN - 0018-067X
IS - 4
ER -