Genetic variation underlying protein expression in eggs of the marine mussel Mytilus edulis.

ABSTRACT: Study of the genetic basis of gene expression variation is central to attempts to understand the causes of evolutionary change. Although there are many transcriptomics studies estimating genetic variance and heritability in model organisms such as humans there is a lack of equivalent proteomics studies. In the present study, the heritability underlying egg protein expression was estimated in the marine mussel Mytilus. We believe this to be the first such measurement of genetic variation for gene expression in eggs of any organism. The study of eggs is important in evolutionary theory and life history analysis because maternal effects might have profound effects on the rate of evolution of offspring traits. Evidence is presented that the egg proteome varies significantly between individual

SUBMITTER: Diz AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2635125 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature