# Genetic dissection of MAPK-mediated complex traits across S. cerevisiae

## TL;DR

This study explores how genetic differences in yeast affect signaling pathways and resulting traits, using a QTL mapping approach.

## Contribution

The study introduces a QTL mapping method to dissect genetic variation's impact on MAPK signaling in S. cerevisiae.

## Key findings

- Genetic variants influencing MAPK signaling were identified across diverse S. cerevisiae isolates.
- Variants were found within MAPK pathways and interconnected signaling networks.
- Results show how genetic diversity shapes phenotypic outcomes of conserved signaling cascades.

## Abstract

Signaling pathways enable cells to sense and respond to their environment. Many cellular signaling strategies are conserved from fungi to humans, yet their activity and phenotypic consequences can vary extensively among individuals within a species. A systematic assessment of the impact of naturally occurring genetic variation on signaling pathways remains to be conducted. In S. cerevisiae, both response and resistance to stressors that activate signaling pathways differ between diverse isolates. Here, we present a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping approach that enables us to identify genetic variants underlying such phenotypic differences across the genetic and phenotypic diversity of S. cerevisiae. Using a Round-robin cross between twelve diverse strains, we determined the genetic architectures of phenotypes critically dependent on MAPK signaling cascades. Genetic variants identified fell within MAPK signaling networks themselves as well as other interconnected signaling pathways, illustrating how genetic variation can shape the phenotypic output of highly conserved signaling cascades.