Synthetic genetic interactions: allele dependence, uses, and conservation

Gray, J.V. and Krause, S.A. (2009) Synthetic genetic interactions: allele dependence, uses, and conservation. Advances in Genetics, 66, pp. 61-84. (doi: 10.1016/S0065-2660(09)66003-X) (PMID:19737638)

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Abstract

Genetic interactions occur between a pair of genes when the phenotype of the double mutant leads to an unexpected phenotype, one that is not predicted from the phenotypes of the single mutants alone. Here, we focus on genetic enhancements, otherwise known as synthetic genetic interactions, where the double mutant phenotype is more severe than expected. Such interactions are rife in natural populations and underlie complex traits, variable penetrance, variable expressivity, and genetic predisposition. Such interactions can also contribute valuable information for functional genomics analysis. Pairwise synthetic genetic interactions are now being systematically uncovered for some simple model genomes. These data are affording us an unparalleled opportunity to examine, understand and exploit genetic enhancements. Here we focus on some key lessons, insights, and confusions arising from these large-scale datasets. We consider if genome-wide datasets support traditional assumptions about the functional relationships between gene products that underlie genetic enhancements. We argue that the genetic enhancement network of an organism is not uniform in nature and is highly dependent on the nature of the interacting alleles. We consider how such genetic networks can be exploited to inform gene product function. Finally, we consider the extent to which genetic enhancement networks are conserved between species.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Krause, Dr Sue and Gray, Professor Joseph
Authors: Gray, J.V., and Krause, S.A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
Journal Name:Advances in Genetics
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0065-2660
Published Online:06 September 2009

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
352641A novel post-genomic approach to identify the functions of an essential protein - yeast protein kinase CJoseph GrayBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)C20144Life Sciences Biomolecular Science