Ribosomal DNA deletions modulate genome-wide gene expression: "rDNA-sensitive" genes and natural variation.

ABSTRACT: The ribosomal rDNA gene array is an epigenetically-regulated repeated gene locus. While rDNA copy number varies widely between and within species, the functional consequences of subtle copy number polymorphisms have been largely unknown. Deletions in the Drosophila Y-linked rDNA modifies heterochromatin-induced position effect variegation (PEV), but it has been unknown if the euchromatic component of the genome is affected by rDNA copy number. Polymorphisms of naturally occurring Y chromosomes affect both euchromatin and heterochromatin, although the elements responsible for these effects are unknown. Here we show that copy number of the Y-linked rDNA array is a source of genome-wide variation in gene expression. Induced deletions in the rDNA affect the expression of hundreds to thousands

SUBMITTER: Paredes S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3080856 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature