An Organism's Genetic Background Influences how Mutant Genes Are Expressed

This finding was published in the August 1, 2013, online edition of the journal PLOS Genetics.

"It has been known for a while that genetic mutations can modify each other's effects," said senior author Dr. Ian Dworkin, associate professor of zoology at Michigan State University. "And we also know that the subtle differences in an individual's genome—what scientists call wild type genetic background—also affects how mutations are manifested."

Many disorders with a suspected genetic component, such as cancer, asthma, or Parkinson's disease, have been linked to interactions between more than one set of genes. "Is it just the two pairs of genes that are interacting?" asked Dr. Dworkin. "Or is it that the two genes are interacting and then many other genes are modifying that reaction? This will help us understand how much complexity is involved."

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