A possible reason for this discrepancy is that RVI was derived from a gene expression profile for MVI, not histological MVI itself, and may capture a more fundamental phenotype of aggressive disease.
By contrast, explicit references to a disordered self, considered as the fundamental phenotype of schizophrenia, are present in nearly all foundational texts on the disease, though using various terms and with varying clarity.
Mechanistically this could be mediated via a role in CNS but since cell adhesion is a phenomenon that is integral to the regional expansion of adipose tissue it is possible that the gene may play a direct role in the preferential deposition of fat into the visceral abdominal region, a fundamental phenotype of MetS.
It has long been recognised that an alteration in cellular metabolism is a fundamental phenotype of cancer (Warburg, 1956) including leukaemia (Boag et al, 2006), but debate continues as to the exact nature of the changes involved and their functional significance.
In this particular study, we show that high throughput sequencing can be used not only to unravel the genetic mechanisms of fundamental phenotypes (including disease) in non-model organisms, but also to provide insights into conservation genetics through the detection of inbreeding of endangered species such as gorilla.
Mutation screens in model organisms have uncovered the building blocks of many fundamental phenotypes [reviewed in 1], [2], [3].
These results underscore the necessity for maintaining normal mitochondrial dynamics and function in order for Myc to regulate several of its fundamental phenotypes.
It is to be hoped that more fundamental phenotypes might emerge from studies of the biological systems implicated by genetic and other biological findings.
