@article {539826,
	title = {Ribosomal DNA deletions modulate genome-wide gene expression: "rDNA-sensitive" genes and natural variation},
	journal = {PLoS Genet},
	volume = {7},
	number = {4},
	year = {2011},
	note = {<p>Paredes, SilvanaBranco, Alan THartl, Daniel LMaggert, Keith ALemos, BernardoengR01 GM076092/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/R01 GM084236/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/R01 GM084236-03/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural2011/05/03 06:00PLoS Genet. 2011 Apr;7(4):e1001376. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1001376. Epub 2011 Apr 21.</p>},
	month = {Apr},
	pages = {e1001376},
	abstract = {<p>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 of euchromatic genes throughout the genome of males and females. Although the affected genes are not physically clustered, we observed functional enrichments for genes whose protein products are located in the mitochondria and are involved in electron transport. The affected genes significantly overlap with genes affected by natural polymorphisms on Y chromosomes, suggesting that polymorphic rDNA copy number is an important determinant of gene expression diversity in natural populations. Altogether, our results indicate that subtle changes to rDNA copy number between individuals may contribute to biologically relevant phenotypic variation.</p>},
	keywords = {*Gene Deletion, Animals, Cell Nucleus/genetics, Crosses, Genetic, DNA Copy Number Variations, DNA, Ribosomal/*genetics, Drosophila/*genetics, Euchromatin/*genetics, Female, Gene Expression, Genetic Loci, Male, Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis, Polymorphism, Genetic, Y Chromosome/genetics},
	isbn = {1553-7404 (Electronic)1553-7390 (Linking)},
	author = {Paredes, S. and Branco, A. T. and Hartl, D. L. and Maggert, K. A. and Lemos, B.}
}
