Data from: Genetic variation in the Yolk protein expression network of Drosophila melanogaster: sex-biased negative correlations with longevity

One of the persistent problems in biology is understanding how genetic variation contributes to phenotypic variation. Associations at many levels have been reported, and yet causal inference has remained elusive. We propose to rely on the knowledge of causal relationships established by molecular biology approaches. The existing molecular knowledge forms a firm backbone upon which hypotheses connecting genetic variation, transcriptional variation and phenotypic variation can be built. The sex determination pathway is a well-established molecular network, with the Yp genes as the most downstream target. Our analyses reveal that genetic variation in expression for genes known to be upstream in the pathway explains variation in downstream targets. Relationships differ between the two sexes, and each Yp has a distinct transcriptional pattern. Yp expression is significantly negatively correlated with longevity, an important life history trait, for both males and females.

生物学领域长期悬而未决的关键科学问题之一，在于解析遗传变异（genetic variation）如何驱动表型变异（phenotypic variation）。已有研究在多个层级报道了相关关联，但因果推断（causal inference）始终难以实现突破。我们提出可依托分子生物学方法所确立的因果关系认知，而现有分子生物学知识可构成坚实的理论支柱，以此为基础能够构建起连接遗传变异、转录变异（transcriptional variation）与表型变异的研究假说。性别决定通路是一套已被充分验证的分子调控网络，其中Yp基因（Yp genes）为其最下游的作用靶点。我们的分析结果显示，该通路中已知上游基因的表达遗传变异，可解释下游靶点的表达变异。不同性别间的调控关系存在显著差异，且每个Yp基因均具有独特的转录模式。无论是雄性还是雌性个体，Yp基因的表达水平均与寿命（longevity）这一重要生活史性状呈显著负相关。