Phenotypic plasticity can serve as a stepping stone towards adaptation. Recently, studies have shown that gene expression contributes to emergent stress responses such as thermal tolerance, with tolerant and susceptible populations showing distinct transcriptional profiles. However, given the dynamic nature of gene expression, interpreting transcriptomic results in a way that elucidates the functional connection between gene expression and the observed stress response is challenging. Here, we present a conceptual framework to guide interpretation of gene expression reaction norms in the context of stress tolerance. We consider the evolutionary and adaptive potential of gene expression reaction norms and discuss the influence of sampling timing, transcriptomic resilience, as well as complexities related to life history when interpreting gene expression dynamics and how these patterns relate to host tolerance. We highlight corals as a case study to demonstrate the value of this framework for non‐model systems. As species face rapidly changing environmental conditions, modulating gene expression can serve as a mechanistic link from genetic and cellular processes to the physiological responses that allow organisms to thrive under novel conditions. Interpreting how or whether a species can employ gene expression plasticity to ensure short‐term survival will be critical for understanding the global impacts of climate change across diverse taxa.

中文翻译：

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理解基因表达可塑性及其对胁迫耐受性影响的框架

表型可塑性可以作为适应的垫脚石。最近，研究表明，基因表达有助于产生新的应激反应，例如耐热性，而耐性和易感种群显示出不同的转录特征。然而，鉴于基因表达的动态性质，以阐明基因表达与观察到的应激反应之间的功能联系的方式来解释转录组结果是具有挑战性的。在这里，我们提出了一个概念框架，以指导在压力耐受性背景下基因表达反应规范的解释。我们考虑了基因表达反应规范的进化和适应潜力，并讨论了采样时间，转录组弹性，以及解释基因表达动态以及这些模式与宿主耐受性之间的关系时与生活史相关的复杂性。我们以珊瑚为案例研究，以证明该框架对非模型系统的价值。由于物种面临着迅速变化的环境条件，调节基因表达可以充当从遗传和细胞过程到生理反应的机制链接，从而使生物能够在新的条件下壮成长。解释物种如何或是否可以利用基因表达可塑性来确保短期生存，对于理解气候变化对不同分类单元的全球影响至关重要。由于物种面临着迅速变化的环境条件，调节基因表达可以充当从遗传和细胞过程到生理反应的机制链接，从而使生物能够在新的条件下壮成长。解释物种如何或是否可以利用基因表达可塑性来确保短期生存，对于理解气候变化对不同分类单元的全球影响至关重要。由于物种面临着迅速变化的环境条件，调节基因表达可以充当从遗传和细胞过程到生理反应的机制链接，从而使生物能够在新的条件下壮成长。解释物种如何或是否可以利用基因表达可塑性来确保短期生存，对于理解气候变化对不同分类单元的全球影响至关重要。