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.

生物学领域长期存在的核心难题之一，便是阐释遗传变异如何促成表型变异。尽管已有多项研究报道了多层面的关联，但因果推断始终难以实现。本研究拟依托分子生物学手段已探明的因果关系知识。现有分子生物学知识构成了坚实的理论框架，可在此基础上构建连接遗传变异、转录变异与表型变异的研究假说。性别决定通路是一套已被充分阐明的分子网络，其中Yp基因（Yp genes）为最下游的靶标。本研究的分析结果显示，通路中已被证实位于上游的基因，其表达层面的遗传变异可解释下游靶标的表达变异。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特征。无论雄性还是雌性，Yp基因的表达水平均与寿命这一重要生活史性状呈显著负相关。