Epistasis and pleiotropy-induced variation for plant breeding

Abstract

Epistasis refers to nonallelic interaction between genes that cause bias in estimates of genetic parameters for a phenotype with interactions of two or more genes affecting the same trait. Partitioning of epistatic effects allows true estimation of the genetic parameters affecting phenotypes. Multigenic variation plays a central role in the evolution of complex characteristics, among which pleiotropy, where a single gene affects several phenotypic characters, has a large influence. While pleiotropic interactions provide functional specificity, they increase the challenge of gene discovery and functional analysis. Overcoming pleiotropy-based phenotypic trade-offs offers potential for assisting breeding for complex traits. Modelling higher order nonallelic epistatic interaction, pleiotropy and non-pleiotropy-induced variation, and genotype x environment interaction in genomic selection may provide new paths to increase the productivity and stress tolerance for next generation of crop cultivars. Advances in statistical models, software and algorithm developments, and genomic research have facilitated dissecting the nature and extent of pleiotropy and epistasis. We overview emerging approaches to exploit positive (and avoid negative) epistatic and pleiotropic interactions in a plant breeding context, including developing avenues of artificial intelligence, novel exploitation of large-scale genomics and phenomics data, and involvement of genes with minor effects to analyse epistatic interactions and pleiotropic quantitative trait loci, including missing heritability.

Keywords

genetic correlation; genomic selection and heterosis; multi-role pleiotropy genes; machine learning algorithms; trade-off

Published in

Plant Biotechnology Journal
2024, volume: 22, number: 10, pages: 2788-2807
Publisher: WILEY

SLU Authors

• Ortiz Rios, Rodomiro Octavio

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Global goals (SDG)

SDG2 Zero hunger

UKÄ Subject classification

Genetics and Breeding in Agricultural Sciences
Agricultural Science
Horticulture

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.14405

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/131093