THE INFLUENCE OF GENETIC BACKGROUND ON THE FREQUENCY AND THE DIRECTION OF RADIATION-INDUCED MUTATIONS AFFECTING A QUANTITATIVE CHARACTER

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1961 · Genetics (U.S.)

OSTI ID:4811797

Mueller, I; James, A P

Background on the phenotypic effects of a random sample of radioinduced mutations affecting a quantltative character was studied. The character was the rate of cell division in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Three diploid strains of yeast which differed in rate of cell division and in degree of heterozygosity were utilized. The distributions of growth rates of clones produced by single- cell isolates of the irradiated populations were compared with those for unirradiated control samples. No two of the strains reacted alike. Mutations were completely ineffective in the most homozygous and least adapted strain, mainly negative in the intermediate strain, and mainly posltive in the most heterozygous and fastest growing strain. It was concluded that vagaries in the influence of different genetic constitutions on the expressions of the mutant genes are stronger than was originally supposed. The importance of epistasis in quantitative inheritance is emphasized. (auth)

• Research Organization: Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Chalk River, Ont.
• NSA Number: NSA-16-007435
• OSTI ID: 4811797
• Journal Information: Genetics (U.S.), Journal Name: Genetics (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 46; ISSN GENTA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CHROMOSOMES
GENETICS
HEREDITY
MITOSIS
MUTATIONS
POPULATIONS
RADIATION EFFECTS
YEASTS