Genetics Publications
News and Extracts from the latest Genetics Publications
November 21, 2008
The evolution of cell types in animals: emerging principles from molecular studies.
Publication Date: 2008 Nov PMID: 18927580
Authors: Arendt, D.
Journal: Nat Rev Genet
Cell types are fundamental units of multicellular life but their evolution is obscure. How did the first cell types emerge and become distinct in animal evolution? What were the sets of cell types that existed at important evolutionary nodes that represent eumetazoan or bilaterian ancestors? How did these ancient cell types diversify further during the evolution of organ systems in the descending evolutionary lines? The recent advent of cell type molecular fingerprinting has yielded initial insights into the evolutionary interrelationships of cell types between remote animal phyla and has allowed us to define some first principles of cell type diversification in animal evolution.
MeSH Categories: Animals, Cell Differentiation/*physiology, Cell Lineage/genetics/*physiology, DNA Fingerprinting, Endocrine System/*cytology, *Evolution, Immune System/*cytology, Nervous System/*cytology, Phylogeny
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Authors: Arendt, D.
Journal: Nat Rev Genet
Cell types are fundamental units of multicellular life but their evolution is obscure. How did the first cell types emerge and become distinct in animal evolution? What were the sets of cell types that existed at important evolutionary nodes that represent eumetazoan or bilaterian ancestors? How did these ancient cell types diversify further during the evolution of organ systems in the descending evolutionary lines? The recent advent of cell type molecular fingerprinting has yielded initial insights into the evolutionary interrelationships of cell types between remote animal phyla and has allowed us to define some first principles of cell type diversification in animal evolution.
MeSH Categories: Animals, Cell Differentiation/*physiology, Cell Lineage/genetics/*physiology, DNA Fingerprinting, Endocrine System/*cytology, *Evolution, Immune System/*cytology, Nervous System/*cytology, Phylogeny
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Filed under Genetics Publications by Nature Reviews Genetics
Publication Date: 2008 Nov PMID: 18927581
Authors: Johannes, F. - Colot, V. - Jansen, R. C.
Journal: Nat Rev Genet
Classically, quantitative geneticists have envisioned DNA sequence variants as the only source of heritable phenotypes. This view should be revised in light of accumulating evidence for widespread epigenetic variation in natural and experimental populations. Here we argue that it is timely to consider novel experimental strategies and analysis models to capture the potentially dynamic interplay between chromatin and DNA sequence factors in complex traits.
MeSH Categories: Base Sequence, Chromatin/genetics/*physiology, Chromatin Immunoprecipitation/methods, Epigenesis, Genetic/*genetics, *Evolution, Molecular, *Genetics, Population, *Phenotype, Quantitative Trait Loci, *Variation (Genetics)
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Authors: Johannes, F. - Colot, V. - Jansen, R. C.
Journal: Nat Rev Genet
Classically, quantitative geneticists have envisioned DNA sequence variants as the only source of heritable phenotypes. This view should be revised in light of accumulating evidence for widespread epigenetic variation in natural and experimental populations. Here we argue that it is timely to consider novel experimental strategies and analysis models to capture the potentially dynamic interplay between chromatin and DNA sequence factors in complex traits.
MeSH Categories: Base Sequence, Chromatin/genetics/*physiology, Chromatin Immunoprecipitation/methods, Epigenesis, Genetic/*genetics, *Evolution, Molecular, *Genetics, Population, *Phenotype, Quantitative Trait Loci, *Variation (Genetics)
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Filed under Genetics Publications by Nature Reviews Genetics
Publication Date: 2008 Dec PMID: 18957969
Authors: Wagner, A.
Journal: Nat Rev Genet
Neutralism and selectionism are extremes of an explanatory spectrum for understanding patterns of molecular evolution and the emergence of evolutionary innovation. Although recent genome-scale data from protein-coding genes argue against neutralism, molecular engineering and protein evolution data argue that neutral mutations and mutational robustness are important for evolutionary innovation. Here I propose a reconciliation in which neutral mutations prepare the ground for later evolutionary adaptation. Key to this perspective is an explicit understanding of molecular phenotypes that has only become accessible in recent years.
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Authors: Wagner, A.
Journal: Nat Rev Genet
Neutralism and selectionism are extremes of an explanatory spectrum for understanding patterns of molecular evolution and the emergence of evolutionary innovation. Although recent genome-scale data from protein-coding genes argue against neutralism, molecular engineering and protein evolution data argue that neutral mutations and mutational robustness are important for evolutionary innovation. Here I propose a reconciliation in which neutral mutations prepare the ground for later evolutionary adaptation. Key to this perspective is an explicit understanding of molecular phenotypes that has only become accessible in recent years.
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Filed under Genetics Publications by Nature Reviews Genetics
Publication Date: 2008 Dec PMID: 18981989
Authors: Brar, G. A. - Amon, A.
Journal: Nat Rev Genet
Centromeres are an essential and conserved feature of eukaryotic chromosomes, yet recent research indicates that we are just beginning to understand the numerous roles that centromeres have in chromosome segregation. During meiosis I, in particular, centromeres seem to function in many processes in addition to their canonical role in assembling kinetochores, the sites of microtubule attachment. Here we summarize recent advances that place centromeres at the centre of meiosis I, and discuss how these studies affect a variety of basic research fields and thus hold promise for increasing our understanding of human reproductive defects and disease states.
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Authors: Brar, G. A. - Amon, A.
Journal: Nat Rev Genet
Centromeres are an essential and conserved feature of eukaryotic chromosomes, yet recent research indicates that we are just beginning to understand the numerous roles that centromeres have in chromosome segregation. During meiosis I, in particular, centromeres seem to function in many processes in addition to their canonical role in assembling kinetochores, the sites of microtubule attachment. Here we summarize recent advances that place centromeres at the centre of meiosis I, and discuss how these studies affect a variety of basic research fields and thus hold promise for increasing our understanding of human reproductive defects and disease states.
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Filed under Genetics Publications by Nature Reviews Genetics