Apologies for any failures in nomenclature. I'm a mathematician who is making a foray into genetics for a masters thesis. Specifically, I'm generating artificial diploid genetic sequence data and phenotype data based on known epistatic interactions.
Primary Question
I am familiar with the concept that having multiple copies of a single allele (e.g. one from each parent) can actually increase expression and thereby change the quantitative phenotype (at least in some cases?). Can this also happen with epistatic effects? For example, consider the case that locus 1 ($L_1$) and locus 2 ($L_2$) exhibit some positive interaction ($\beta$) on the trait ($Y$). $$E[Y]=\mu+\beta(L_1L_2)$$ If both chromosomes contain the allele in question at both loci, then does this individual exhibit more of a trait increase than if he only had one chromosome with the epistatic alleles?
Secondary question
Can alleles interact epistatically even when they are present on different chromosomes? e.g. assume allele A at locus 1 interacts with allele B at locus 2. Individual has A at locus 1 and b at locus 2 on chromosome 1. He also has a at locus 1 and B at locus 2 on chromosome 2. Do A and B from the different chromosomes interact? My intuition is yes but I want verification.
Many thanks!!!