Is Hsp90 a regulator of evolvability?

In a recent paper, Rutherford and Lindquist (1998. Nature 396:336–342) identified mutations in the Hsp90 protein that act to unmask hidden genetic variation with a variety of phenotypic effects. The Hsp90 protein has a number of properties that suggest a role in regulating the expression of genetic variation and therefore in adjusting the evolvability of the organism. In this paper we reflect upon the evolutionary feasibility of such mechanisms and suggest some possible ways of testing the adaptation‐for‐evolvability hypothesis in more detail. We conclude that Hsp90 holds promise as a molecular model system for the evolution of evolvability. J. Exp. Zool. ( Mol. Dev. Evol. ) 285:116–118, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.