Molecular Neoteny

[foodchain]

Did the title work in getting attraction?

 

Anyways, does anyone know any good links of such or thoughts to share on the subject. I personally find it ripe with possibility for studying evolution really. I am not speaking particularly of neoteny studied at a molecular level in regards to the specie but the molecular basis of life itself studied from such a neoteny perspective, such as studying the evolution of a particular chemical structure or function in an organism:confused: I think:D I don’t know if you can separate the two easily.

 

Much thanks in advance.

[lucaspa]

What do you think "neoteny" is? It is a very specific process in sexually reproducing multicellular organisms. In fact, it is limited to organisms that go thru extensive embryonic development! Therefore, it cannot possibly be used this way: "the molecular basis of life itself studied from such a neoteny perspective"

 

There is just too much of life that is unicellular and a huge subset of that unicellular life that reproduces asexually for neoteny to provide any type of "perspective" for "the molecular basis of life itself".

[Paralith]

I concur with Lucaspa. Neotony refers to the maintenance of a younger developmental form, instead of continuing on to the more adult developmental form. Think of toy dogs; adults bred to have more of the cutesy, younger characteristics of puppies.

 

I suppose at a stretch you could say that "molecular neotony" means using simpler, more primitive molecules instead of more complicated molecules, even if the ability to make those more complicated molecules is present, or something along those lines.

[CDarwin]

I suppose at a stretch you could say that "molecular neotony" means using simpler, more primitive molecules instead of more complicated molecules, even if the ability to make those more complicated molecules is present, or something along those lines.

 

No, you couldn't even say that. Ontogeny does not recapitulate phylogeny as a general rule. You can't equate "primitive molecules" with "immature molecules."

 

Molecular neoteny might be the retention of the the chemicals that lead to the development of immature features like deciduous teeth?

[Paralith]

No, you couldn't even say that. Ontogeny does not recapitulate phylogeny as a general rule. You can't equate "primitive molecules" with "immature molecules."

 

right you are. my mistake.

[foodchain]

Thanks for the replies, I thought zero meant no but the posts mean the same:D I have only read on neoteny on itself for a bit on developmental issues pertaining to amphibians really, I did not know if you could get to the molecular scale, or solely molecular with the term, such as a primitive version of a hormone compared to a modern one. I guess its really where you can cut the two and if such cutting or division is even possible really.

[lucaspa]

I did not know if you could get to the molecular scale, or solely molecular with the term, such as a primitive version of a hormone compared to a modern one.

 

That would be something quite different from neoteny. That would be "homology" or perhaps "isoform".

 

I guess its really where you can cut the two and if such cutting or division is even possible really.

 

What you tried to do was make an apple into an orange.

[lucaspa]

Molecular neoteny might be the retention of the the chemicals that lead to the development of immature features like deciduous teeth?

 

That doesn't work. For one thing, neoteny usually works by the suppression of later developmental pathways. Teeth are an example of "isoforms" where you have one form replaced by another, similar, form later in development. Another example is the replacement of fetal hemoglobin by adult hemoglobin.

 

Here: go to the library and find this paper:

 

1: Science. 1983 Sep 2;221(4614):921-7.

 

Molecular and cell isoforms during development.

 

Caplan AI, Fiszman MY, Eppenberger HM.

 

Development proceeds by way of a discrete yet overlapping series of biosynthetic and restructuring events that result in the continued molding of tissues and organs into highly restricted and specialized states required for adult function. Individual molecules and cells are replaced by molecular and cellular variants, called isoforms; these arise and function during embryonic development or later life. Isoforms, whether molecular or cellular, have been identified by their structural differences, which allow separation and characterization of each variant. These isoforms play a central and controlling role in the continued and dynamic remodeling that takes place during development. Descriptions of the individual phases of the orderly replacement of one isoform for another provides an experimental context in which the process of development can be better understood.

 

PMID: 6348946 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

 

Related Links

 

Functional coupling of creatine kinases in muscles: species and tissue

specificity. [Mol Cell Biochem. 1998] PMID:9746324

 

Expression of muscle genes in the mouse embryo. [symp Soc Exp Biol. 1992]

PMID:1341037

 

Expression of various NCAM isoforms in human embryonic muscles: correlation

with myosin heavy chain phenotypes. [J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 1992]

PMID:1740671