Molecular Evolution: Mice Given Bat-like Forelimbs Through Gene Switch (1/16/2008)
 |
| Shown above is an example of the bat species whose DNA was used to insert into the mice in the study. (Credit: Image courtesy of Dr. Richard Behringer, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center) |
A research team led by Dr. Richard Behringer at MD Anderson Cancer Center reports that they have successfully switched the mouse Prx1 gene regulatory element with the Prx1 gene regulatory region from a bat -- and although these two species are separated by millions of years of evolution -- the resulting transgenic mice displayed abnormally long forelimbs.
While forelimb length is just one of several key morphological changes that occurred during the evolution of the bat wing, this unprecedented finding demonstrates that evolution can be driven by changes in the patterns of gene expression, rather than solely by changes in the genes, themselves.
Prx1 is a paired-box homeodomain transcription factor, with an established role in limb bone growth. Dr. Behringer and colleagues identified a conserved Prx1 enhancer domain, which regulates expression of Prx1 in the developing forelimb.
To study the evolutionary contribution of the Prx1 enhancer to the morphological differences between the bat and mouse forelimb, Dr. Behringer and colleagues replaced the endogenous mouse Prx1 enhancer with that of the bat. The transgenic mice showed higher expression levels of Prx1 in the perichondrium, increased chondrocyte proliferation, and ultimately, longer forelimbs.
Dr. Behringer describes the significance of his finding as such: "Darwin suggested that "successive slight modifications" would ultimately result in the evolution of diverse limb morphologies, like a hand, wing, or fin. The genetic change we engineered in mice may be one of those "slight modifications" to evolve a mammalian wing."
This research was published In the January 15th issue of Genes and Development.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Post Comments:
| 
Subscribe
World's first handheld sound camera ready for market
Researchers discover dynamic behavior of progenitor cells in brain
Untangling the tree of life
Study shows warming in central China greater than most climate models indicated
We almost always buy in the same shops
40% Chance that the Major-severe Geomagnetic storm will be peaking in 24 hours (posted 5pm MST)
Finding Nematostella: An ancient sea creature
The Elephant's Tomb in Carmona may have been a temple to the God Mithras
A giant leap to commercialization of polymer solar cell
Landsat thermal sensor lights up from volcano's heat
Cicadas get a jump on cleaning
Deep, permeable soils buffer impacts of crop fertilizer on Amazon streams, study finds
Columbia engineers manipulate a buckyball by inserting a single water molecule
More than a good eye: Carnegie Mellon robot uses arms, location and more to discover objects
More effective, cheaper concrete manufactured with ash from olive residue biomass
Seahorse's armor gives engineers insight into robotics designs
New quantitative analysis for open source software projects
Is antimatter anti-gravity?
High-volume Bitcoin exchanges less likely to fail, but more likely breached, says study
Bold move forward in molecular analyses
Computer scientists develop video game that teaches how to program in Java
Do palm trees hold the key to immortality?
Researchers show how we can do math problems unconsciously
Keep moving and have fun
New strategy for fingerprint visualization developed at Hebrew University
Children's bicycle helmets shown to be effective in impact and crush tests
How Usain Bolt can run faster -- effortlessly
Enhancing cognition in older adults also changes personality
Carnivorous plant throws out 'junk' DNA
What is the role of double-stranded RNA in antiviral host defense systems?
Mining the botulinum genome
Sacred lotus genome sequence enlightens scientists
Scientists create novel approach to find RNAs involved in long-term memory storage
Research uncovers molecular role of gene linked to blood vessel formation