Feedback control of gene expression variability in the Caenorhabditis elegans Wnt pathway

TY - JOUR

T1 - Feedback control of gene expression variability in the Caenorhabditis elegans Wnt pathway

AU - Ji, N.

AU - Middelkoop, T.C.

AU - Mentink, R.A.

AU - Betist, M.C.

AU - Tonegawa, S.

AU - Mooijman, D.

AU - Korswagen, H.C.

AU - van Oudenaarden, A.

N1 - Reporting year: 2013

PY - 2013

Y1 - 2013

N2 - Variability in gene expression contributes to phenotypic heterogeneity even in isogenic populations. Here, we used the stereotyped, Wnt signaling-dependent development of the Caenorhabditis elegans Q neuroblast to probe endogenous mechanisms that control gene expression variability. We found that the key Hox gene that orients Q neuroblast migration exhibits increased gene expression variability in mutants in which Wnt pathway activity has been perturbed. Distinct features of the gene expression distributions prompted us on a systematic search for regulatory interactions, revealing a network of interlocked positive and negative feedback loops. Interestingly, positive feedback appeared to cooperate with negative feedback to reduce variability while keeping the Hox gene expression at elevated levels. A minimal model correctly predicts the increased gene expression variability across mutants. Our results highlight the influence of gene network architecture on expression variability and implicate feedback regulation as an effective mechanism to ensure developmental robustness.

AB - Variability in gene expression contributes to phenotypic heterogeneity even in isogenic populations. Here, we used the stereotyped, Wnt signaling-dependent development of the Caenorhabditis elegans Q neuroblast to probe endogenous mechanisms that control gene expression variability. We found that the key Hox gene that orients Q neuroblast migration exhibits increased gene expression variability in mutants in which Wnt pathway activity has been perturbed. Distinct features of the gene expression distributions prompted us on a systematic search for regulatory interactions, revealing a network of interlocked positive and negative feedback loops. Interestingly, positive feedback appeared to cooperate with negative feedback to reduce variability while keeping the Hox gene expression at elevated levels. A minimal model correctly predicts the increased gene expression variability across mutants. Our results highlight the influence of gene network architecture on expression variability and implicate feedback regulation as an effective mechanism to ensure developmental robustness.

U2 - 10.1016/j.cell.2013.09.060

DO - 10.1016/j.cell.2013.09.060

M3 - Article

SN - 0092-8674

VL - 155

SP - 869

EP - 880

JO - Cell

JF - Cell

IS - 4

ER -