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Phenotypic plasticity of the Drosophila transcriptome
Shanshan Zhou1, Terry G Campbell, Eric A Stone
1Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America.
Plos Genetics
|April 6, 2012
Summary
Phenotypic plasticity allows a single genotype to produce varied phenotypes. This study reveals a specific transcriptome segment responsive to environmental changes, balancing adaptability and stability in Drosophila melanogaster.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genomics
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Phenotypic plasticity is crucial for organisms adapting to diverse environments.
- Understanding the genetic basis of plasticity is key to evolutionary processes.
- Drosophila melanogaster serves as a model organism for studying gene expression and adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate genome-wide gene expression and fitness-related phenotypes in response to various environmental conditions.
- To compare environmentally sensitive transcripts with genetically variable transcripts.
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Assessed genome-wide gene expression and four fitness phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster.
- Exposed populations to 20 diverse environmental conditions (physiological, social, nutritional, chemical, physical).
- Analyzed transcriptomic data, comparing environmentally sensitive and genetically variable transcripts.
Main Results:
- Identified two categories of environmentally sensitive transcripts (∼15% of total).
- Class I transcripts showed genetic variation linked to detoxification, metabolism, and stress response.
- Class II transcripts exhibited low genetic variance and were enriched for reproductive functions, with sexually dimorphic expression.
Conclusions:
- A distinct, restricted portion of the transcriptome mediates environmental responsiveness.
- This environmentally sensitive transcriptome is modularly organized and shows trait-specific signatures.
- The findings suggest a mechanism balancing phenotypic plasticity with environmental canalization.
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