Genetic variation in pleiotropy: differential epistasis as a source of variation in the allometric relationship between long bone lengths and body weight. 2008

Mihaela Pavlicev, and Jane P Kenney-Hunt, and Elizabeth A Norgard, and Charles C Roseman, and Jason B Wolf, and James M Cheverud
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. pavlicev@pcg.wustl.edu

Pleiotropy is an aspect of genetic architecture underlying the phenotypic covariance structure. The presence of genetic variation in pleiotropy is necessary for natural selection to shape patterns of covariation between traits. We examined the contribution of differential epistasis to variation in the intertrait relationship and the nature of this variation. Genetic variation in pleiotropy was revealed by mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the allometry of mouse limb and tail length relative to body weight in the mouse-inbred strain LG/J by SM/J intercross. These relationship QTLs (rQTLs) modify relationships between the traits affected by a common pleiotropic locus. We detected 11 rQTLs, mostly affecting allometry of multiple bones. We further identified epistatic interactions responsible for the observed allometric variation. Forty loci that interact epistatically with the detected rQTLs were identified. We demonstrate how these epistatic interactions differentially affect the body size variance and the covariance of traits with body size. We conclude that epistasis, by differentially affecting both the canalization and mean values of the traits of a pleiotropic domain, causes variation in the covariance structure. Variation in pleiotropy maintains evolvability of the genetic architecture, in particular the evolvability of its modular organization.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D001835 Body Weight The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms. Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D001842 Bone and Bones A specialized CONNECTIVE TISSUE that is the main constituent of the SKELETON. The principal cellular component of bone is comprised of OSTEOBLASTS; OSTEOCYTES; and OSTEOCLASTS, while FIBRILLAR COLLAGENS and hydroxyapatite crystals form the BONE MATRIX. Bone Tissue,Bone and Bone,Bone,Bones,Bones and Bone,Bones and Bone Tissue,Bony Apophyses,Bony Apophysis,Condyle,Apophyses, Bony,Apophysis, Bony,Bone Tissues,Condyles,Tissue, Bone,Tissues, Bone
D004843 Epistasis, Genetic A form of gene interaction whereby the expression of one gene interferes with or masks the expression of a different gene or genes. Genes whose expression interferes with or masks the effects of other genes are said to be epistatic to the effected genes. Genes whose expression is affected (blocked or masked) are hypostatic to the interfering genes. Deviation, Epistatic,Epistatic Deviation,Genes, Epistatic,Genes, Hypostatic,Epistases, Genetic,Gene-Gene Interaction, Epistatic,Gene-Gene Interactions, Epistatic,Genetic Epistases,Genetic Epistasis,Interaction Deviation,Non-Allelic Gene Interactions,Epistatic Gene,Epistatic Gene-Gene Interaction,Epistatic Gene-Gene Interactions,Epistatic Genes,Gene Gene Interaction, Epistatic,Gene Gene Interactions, Epistatic,Gene Interaction, Non-Allelic,Gene Interactions, Non-Allelic,Gene, Epistatic,Gene, Hypostatic,Hypostatic Gene,Hypostatic Genes,Interaction, Epistatic Gene-Gene,Interaction, Non-Allelic Gene,Interactions, Epistatic Gene-Gene,Interactions, Non-Allelic Gene,Non Allelic Gene Interactions,Non-Allelic Gene Interaction
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014644 Genetic Variation Genotypic differences observed among individuals in a population. Genetic Diversity,Variation, Genetic,Diversity, Genetic,Diversities, Genetic,Genetic Diversities,Genetic Variations,Variations, Genetic
D051379 Mice The common name for the genus Mus. Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus
D019521 Body Patterning The processes occurring in early development that direct morphogenesis. They specify the body plan ensuring that cells will proceed to differentiate, grow, and diversify in size and shape at the correct relative positions. Included are axial patterning, segmentation, compartment specification, limb position, organ boundary patterning, blood vessel patterning, etc. Axial Patterning (Embryology),Embryonic Pattern Formation,Polarity of Development,Body Pattern Formation,Body Pattern Specification,Embryonic Pattern Specification,Development Polarity,Embryonic Pattern Formations,Formation, Embryonic Pattern,Pattern Formation, Body,Pattern Formation, Embryonic,Pattern Specification, Body,Pattern Specification, Embryonic,Patterning, Axial (Embryology),Patterning, Body,Specification, Body Pattern,Specification, Embryonic Pattern
D040641 Quantitative Trait Loci Genetic loci associated with a quantitative trait. Quantitative Trait Loci Genes,Loci, Quantitative Trait,Locus, Quantitative Trait,Quantitative Trait Locus,Trait Loci, Quantitative,Trait Locus, Quantitative

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