HSP90-buffered genetic variation is common in Arabidopsis thaliana.

ABSTRACT: HSP90 is a protein chaperone particularly important in the maturation of a diverse set of proteins that regulate key steps in a multitude of biological processes. Alterations in HSP90 function produce altered phenotypes at low penetrance in natural populations. Previous work has shown that at least some of these phenotypes are due to genetic variation that remains phenotypically cryptic until it is revealed by the impairment of HSP90 function. Exposure of such "buffered" genetic polymorphisms can also be accomplished by environmental stress, linking the appearance of new phenotypes to defects in protein homeostasis. Should such polymorphisms be widespread, natural selection may be more effective at producing phenotypic change in suboptimal environments. In evaluating this hypothesis, a key

SUBMITTER: Sangster TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2268569 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature