The impact of gene expression variation on the robustness and evolvability of a developmental gene regulatory network.

ABSTRACT: Regulatory interactions buffer development against genetic and environmental perturbations, but adaptation requires phenotypes to change. We investigated the relationship between robustness and evolvability within the gene regulatory network underlying development of the larval skeleton in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. We find extensive variation in gene expression in this network throughout development in a natural population, some of which has a heritable genetic basis. Switch-like regulatory interactions predominate during early development, buffer expression variation, and may promote the accumulation of cryptic genetic variation affecting early stages. Regulatory interactions during later development are typically more sensitive (linear), allowing variation in expressi

SUBMITTER: Garfield DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3812118 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature