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Epistasis01:39

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In addition to multiple alleles at the same locus influencing traits, numerous genes or alleles at different locations may interact and influence phenotypes in a phenomenon called epistasis. For example, rabbit fur can be black or brown depending on whether the animal is homozygous dominant or heterozygous at a TYRP1 locus. However, if the rabbit is also homozygous recessive at a locus on the tyrosinase gene (TYR), it will have an unshaded coat that appears white, regardless of its TYRP1...
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Although Mendel chose seven unrelated traits in peas to study gene segregation, most traits involve multiple gene interactions that create a spectrum of phenotypes. When the interaction of various genes or alleles at different locations influences a phenotype, this is called epistasis. Epistasis often involves one gene masking or interfering with the expression of another (antagonistic epistasis). Epistasis often occurs when different genes are part of the same biochemical pathway. The...
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In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
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Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...
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Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
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The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
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Two MYB Proteins in a Self-Organizing Activator-Inhibitor System Produce Spotted Pigmentation Patterns.

Baoqing Ding1, Erin L Patterson2, Srinidhi V Holalu2

  • 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 75 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3043, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|March 11, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers identified R2R3-MYB and R3-MYB proteins in monkeyflowers that create pigment patterns. This activator-inhibitor system explains flower spotting and affects pollinator visits.

Keywords:
ErythrantheMimulusanthocyanindevelopmental patterningflower colorgenome editingmonkeyflowernatural variationpigmentationreaction-diffusion

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Plant science
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Pigmentation patterns in nature, such as spots and stripes, are visually striking.
  • Developmental models suggest these patterns arise from interacting feedback loops: one autocatalytic and one long-range inhibitory.
  • Identifying the specific molecular components of these pattern-forming systems is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize the molecular activators and inhibitors responsible for pigmentation patterns in monkeyflowers (Mimulus).
  • To test if these components fit the activator-inhibitor model for pattern formation.
  • To investigate the ecological impact of these patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental perturbation of gene expression in monkeyflowers.
  • Mathematical modeling using a reaction-diffusion system.
  • Analysis of R2R3-MYB and R3-MYB protein functions.
  • Observation of pollinator visitation.

Main Results:

  • An R2R3-MYB protein was identified as an activator and an R3-MYB protein as a repressor in monkeyflower petals.
  • These proteins function as an activator-inhibitor pair within a reaction-diffusion system.
  • This system successfully explains the formation of dispersed anthocyanin spots in monkeyflower petals.
  • Disruption of these pigment patterns affected pollinator visitation rates.

Conclusions:

  • The study identifies specific MYB proteins as key components of a reaction-diffusion system driving flower pigmentation.
  • This provides a molecular basis for understanding the development of spotted patterns in monkeyflowers.
  • These findings highlight the role of simple genetic systems in generating floral diversity and influencing plant-pollinator interactions.