meaning of "synthetic lethality"

[David M. Eisenmann]

In article <jacobs-2904982131160001 at dialup09ip117.tus.azstarnet.com>,
jacobs at azstarnet.com (John S Jacobs Anderson) wrote:

> In article <6i7oe2$7d8$1 at nnrp1.dejanews.com>, marc_lamphier at eri.eisai.com
wrote:
> 
> >I have come across a term in genetics I am
> >unfamiliar with. In a paper I am looking at the
> >researchers investigate combinations of mutations
> >for "synthetic lethality". This term seems to mean
> >simply that each individual mutation is non-lethal
> >but the two combined are lethal. Is this a correct
> >understanding, and what is the meaning of
> >"synthetic" here?
> 
> You've got it -- synthetic lethality is when you have two non-lethal
> mutations that cause death when combined.
> 
> I think the 'synthesis' is used in the sense of 'production' -- i.e.,
> death is produced when the mutations are combined.
> 

'synthesis' , from the Greek meaning 'to put together', therefore two
mutations which cause lethality when put together.  Often taken as an
argument that the two genes act in a similar process, but I wouldn't take
it as strong evidence without other data.

Dave