Epistasis and evolution: recent advances and an outlook for prediction

As organisms evolve, the effects of mutations change as a result of epistatic interactions with other mutations accumulated along the line of descent. This can lead to shifts in adaptability or robustness that ultimately shape subsequent evolution. Here, we review recent advances in measuring, modeling, and predicting epistasis along evolutionary trajectories, both in microbial cells and single proteins. We focus on simple patterns of global epistasis that emerge in this data, in which the effects of mutations can be predicted by a small number of variables. The emergence of these patterns offers promise for efforts to model epistasis and predict evolution.

Automated summary

As organisms evolve, the effects of mutations change due to interactions with other accumulated mutations. This leads to adaptability or robustness shifts that shape subsequent evolution. Recent advances in measuring, modeling, and predicting epistasis along evolutionary trajectories are reviewed, focusing on simple patterns of global epistasis that emerge in data. These patterns can be predicted by a small number of variables, offering promise for modeling epistasis and predicting evolution.