Fig. 4

Genetic background effects on the phenotype of a csgA mutation. We show the pure-culture spore production of each new csgA mutant relative to that of its parent. The DK5208 csgA transposon mutation severely reduces spore production relative to GJV1, whereas the new csgA plasmid-disruption mutation in the GJV1 background does not. Genetic background effects: The same csgA plasmid disruption impacts relative spore production very differently depending on the parental genotype, thus revealing strong epistatic interactions and developmental system drift. Symbols as in Fig. 2; 4 biological replicates