Genetic sex determination mechanisms and evolution
Article Abstract:
The sex determination mechanisms of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the mouse, which are superficially similar but have different molecular and cellular bases, give an evolutionary perspective of sex determination in animals. Cybernetic convergence, or the arrival at similar solutions to the problems brought about by sexual differentiation using diverse molecular mechanisms, is a term used to describe the phenomenon. Further studies of other animals may reveal other cases of cybernetic convergence in regulatory mechanisms.
Publication Name: BioEssays
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0265-9247
Year: 1992
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Evolution of the vertebrate Hox homeobox genes
Article Abstract:
Studies show that the Drosophila homeotic complex and vertebrate Hox homeobox gene complexes share colinear and homologous relationships, indicating that they share a common evolutionary origin. Further evidence suggests that the genes form part of a molecular mechanism specifying regional diversity along the anteroposterior axis of the embryo, and this has sparked interest in the functional requirements which have motivated the conservation of these genes in the evolution of vertebrates.
Publication Name: BioEssays
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0265-9247
Year: 1992
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Another notch in stem cell biology: Drosophila intestinal stem cells and the specification of cell fates
Article Abstract:
A study conducted to show that multipotent Drosophila intestinal stem cells (ISCs) modulate the Notch signaling route in their adjacent daughter cells to indicate the differentiated lineages of their descendants, in absence of an obvious stem cell niche, is presented. The empirical remarks on Drosophila result in testing and progressing the understanding of stem cell biology.
Publication Name: BioEssays
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0265-9247
Year: 2008
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