Transcriptional Derepression Uncovers Cryptic Higher-Order Genetic Interactions.

ABSTRACT: Disruption of certain genes can reveal cryptic genetic variants that do not typically show phenotypic effects. Because this phenomenon, which is referred to as 'phenotypic capacitance', is a potential source of trait variation and disease risk, it is important to understand how it arises at the genetic and molecular levels. Here, we use a cryptic colony morphology trait that segregates in a yeast cross to explore the mechanisms underlying phenotypic capacitance. We find that the colony trait is expressed when a mutation in IRA2, a negative regulator of the Ras pathway, co-occurs with specific combinations of cryptic variants in six genes. Four of these genes encode transcription factors that act downstream of the Ras pathway, indicating that the phenotype involves genetically complex chang

SUBMITTER: Taylor MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4618523 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature