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Perspective
Neural control of gene recruitment in metazoans
Article first published online: 29 NOV 2010
DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22505
Copyright © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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How to Cite
Cabej, N. R. (2011), Neural control of gene recruitment in metazoans. Dev. Dyn., 240: 1–8. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.22505
Publication History
- Issue published online: 22 DEC 2010
- Article first published online: 29 NOV 2010
- Manuscript Accepted: 29 OCT 2010
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Keywords:
- gene recruitment;
- evolution;
- transgenerational developmental plasticity;
- manipulative expression of genes;
- neural control of gene recruitment
Abstract
Gene recruitment played a critical role in metazoan evolution. Yet, there is no consensus on whether it is an accidental event or a result of an inherent “gene recruiting” mechanism. The prevailing opinion among biologists is that gene recruitment results from random changes in genes or their regulatory regions, but the supporting evidence is poor and controversial. Herein, I present a mechanism in which gene recruitment is a neurally determined event, an adaptive response to changes in environmental conditions. In support of the hypothesis, I present evidence on the manipulative expression of genes in the central nervous system, as well as neurally determined examples of gene recruitment in transgenerational developmental plasticity and in evolution of metazoans Developmental Dynamics 240:1–8, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.