Genetic Variation and Protein Networks
Author Information
Author(s): Foss Eric J., Radulovic Dragan, Shaffer Scott A., Goodlett David R., Kruglyak Leonid, Bedalov Antonio
Primary Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Are protein networks formed primarily on the basis of regulation of their underlying transcripts?
Conclusion
Most inter-individual variation in protein levels in a genetically diverse population of yeast is not caused by variation in their underlying transcripts.
Supporting Evidence
- The study quantified 354 proteins in a genetically diverse population of yeast segregants.
- Only 4 out of 36 genes in the ribosomal network showed a significant correlation between protein and transcript levels.
- The majority of proteins varied independently of their corresponding transcript levels.
Takeaway
This study found that the amount of protein made by genes in yeast is mostly controlled by factors other than the amount of their corresponding RNA, which is surprising because we usually think more RNA means more protein.
Methodology
The study quantified 354 proteins in a genetically diverse population of yeast segregants using mass spectrometry and analyzed the correlation between protein and transcript levels.
Limitations
The study focused only on high abundance proteins, which may not represent the entire proteome.
Participant Demographics
The study involved a genetically diverse population of 95 yeast strains.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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