Epistasis dominates the genetic architecture of Drosophila quantitative traits.

TitleEpistasis dominates the genetic architecture of Drosophila quantitative traits.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsHuang, W, Richards, S, Carbone, MAnna, Zhu, D, Anholt, RRH, Ayroles, JF, Duncan, L, Jordan, KW, Lawrence, F, Magwire, MM, Warner, CB, Blankenburg, K, Han, Y, Javaid, M, Jayaseelan, J, Jhangiani, SN, Muzny, DM, Ongeri, F, Perales, L, Wu, Y-Q, Zhang, Y, Zou, X, Stone, EA, Gibbs, RA, Mackay, TFC
JournalProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Volume109
Issue39
Pagination15553-9
Date Published2012 Sep 25
ISSN1091-6490
KeywordsAnimals, Drosophila melanogaster, Epistasis, Genetic, Genes, Insect, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Quantitative Trait, Heritable
Abstract

Epistasis-nonlinear genetic interactions between polymorphic loci-is the genetic basis of canalization and speciation, and epistatic interactions can be used to infer genetic networks affecting quantitative traits. However, the role that epistasis plays in the genetic architecture of quantitative traits is controversial. Here, we compared the genetic architecture of three Drosophila life history traits in the sequenced inbred lines of the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) and a large outbred, advanced intercross population derived from 40 DGRP lines (Flyland). We assessed allele frequency changes between pools of individuals at the extremes of the distribution for each trait in the Flyland population by deep DNA sequencing. The genetic architecture of all traits was highly polygenic in both analyses. Surprisingly, none of the SNPs associated with the traits in Flyland replicated in the DGRP and vice versa. However, the majority of these SNPs participated in at least one epistatic interaction in the DGRP. Despite apparent additive effects at largely distinct loci in the two populations, the epistatic interactions perturbed common, biologically plausible, and highly connected genetic networks. Our analysis underscores the importance of epistasis as a principal factor that determines variation for quantitative traits and provides a means to uncover genetic networks affecting these traits. Knowledge of epistatic networks will contribute to our understanding of the genetic basis of evolutionarily and clinically important traits and enhance predictive ability at an individualized level in medicine and agriculture.

DOI10.1073/pnas.1213423109
Alternate JournalProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
PubMed ID22949659
PubMed Central IDPMC3465439
Grant ListR01 GM059469 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
U54 HG003273 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM045146 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM 59469 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM 45146 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States

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