Idiomatic (gene) expressions.
Hidden among the myriad nucleotide variants that constitute each species' gene pool are a few variants that contribute to phenotypic variation. Many of these differences that make a difference are non-coding cis-regulatory variants, which, unlike coding variants, can only be identified through laborious experimental analysis. Recently, Cowles et al.1 described a screening method that does an end-run around this problem by searching for genes whose cis regulation varies without having to find the polymorphic nucleotides that influence transcription. While we will continue to require a diverse arsenal of experimental methods, this versatile method will speed the identification of functional genetic variation.
Rockman
Matthew V
MV
Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. mrockman@duke.edu
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D019295:Computational Biology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci