Work

Rewards and dangers of regulatory innovation

Year: 2024

Type: review

Abstract: Adaptive evolution often involves structural variation affecting genes or cis-regulatory changes that engender novel and favorable gain-of-function gene regulation. Such mutation could result in a favorable dominant trait. At the same time, the gene product could be dosage sensitive if its change in concentration disrupts another trait. As a result, the mutant allele would display dosage-sensitive pleiotropy (DSP). By minimizing imbalance while conserving the favorable dominant effect, heterozygosity can increase fitness and result in heterosis. The properties of these alleles are consistent with evidence from multiple studies that indicate increased fitness of heterozygous regulatory mutations. DSP can help explain mysterious properties of heterosis as well as other effects of hybridization.

Source: Trends in Genetics

DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2024.07.010

Author: Luca Comai

Institution: University of California, Davis

Language: English

Topic: Evolution and Genetic Dynamics

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $7,030

Funder: U.S. Department of Energy