Genomic variants affecting homoeologous gene expression dosage contribute to agronomic trait variation in allopolyploid wheat

Allopolyploidy greatly expands the range of possible regulatory interactions among functionally redundant homoeologous genes. However, connection between the emerging regulatory complexity and expression and phenotypic diversity in polyploid crops remains elusive. Here, we use diverse wheat accessions to map expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and evaluate their effects on the population-scale variation in homoeolog expression dosage. The relative contribution of cis- and trans-eQTL to homoeolog expression variation is strongly affected by both selection and demographic events. Though trans-acting effects play major role in expression regulation, the expression dosage of homoeologs is largely influenced by cis-acting variants, which appear to be subjected to selection. The frequency and expression of homoeologous gene alleles showing strong expression dosage bias are predictive of variation in yield-related traits, and have likely been impacted by breeding for increased productivity. Our study highlights the importance of genomic variants affecting homoeolog expression dosage in shaping agronomic phenotypes and points at their potential utility for improving yield in polyploid crops. The connection between expression variation and phenotypic diversity in the populations of polyploid crops remains elusive. Here, the authors reveal the impact of genetic variants leading to biased expression of homoeologous genes in hexaploid wheat on agronomic traits.

Automated summary

This study reveals the impact of genetic variants leading to biased expression of homoeologous genes in hexaploid wheat on agronomic traits. It shows that the variation in homoeolog expression dosage is largely influenced by cis-acting variants, which have predictive value for yield-related traits and may have been impacted by breeding for increased productivity.