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Published on: March 7, 2019
Evolution of pleiotropy: epistatic interaction pattern supports a mechanistic model underlying variation in
Mihaela Pavlicev1, Elizabeth A Norgard, Gloria L Fawcett
1Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biology, University of Oslo, Norway. mihaela.pavlicev@bio.uio.no
Summary
The genotype-phenotype map evolves, driven by genetic variation in pleiotropy. This study reveals that epistatic interactions at specific genetic loci underlie this variation, potentially forming adaptive gene complexes.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Developmental genetics
- Quantitative genetics
Background:
- The genotype-phenotype (GP) map links genetic variation to phenotypic variation, influencing evolution.
- The GP map's evolution is crucial but poorly understood, especially population-level mechanisms.
- Pleiotropy, where genes affect multiple traits, is a key GP map feature causing genetic covariance and evolutionary constraints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and test a developmental mechanism for population genetic variation in pleiotropy.
- To investigate the role of epistatic interactions in generating genetic variation for pleiotropy.
- To examine the evolutionary implications of genetic variation in pleiotropy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized quantitative genetic methods to study population-level variation in pleiotropy.
- Focused on loci affecting allometric relationships between traits.
- Employed an advanced intercross between inbred mouse strains for genetic analysis.
Main Results:
- Confirmed that loci responsible for genetic variation in pleiotropy are involved in trait-specific epistatic interactions.
- Observed a high degree of sign epistasis in these interactions.
- Interpreted sign epistasis as evidence for adaptive gene complexes in parental lines.
Conclusions:
- Epistasis is a key developmental mechanism generating population genetic variation in pleiotropy.
- This variation in the genotype-phenotype map can fuel its own evolution.
- Findings suggest a role for epistasis in the formation of adaptive gene complexes.
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