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Genetic conflict and apoptosis.

E K LeGrand1

  • 1Pathology Department, R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Raritan, NJ 08869, USA. elegrand@prius.jnj.com

Perspectives in Biology and Medicine
|October 16, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) relies on cellular altruism, but selfish genes can exploit this. Germ cell development features unique controls to manage these self-promoting genes.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Genetics
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis benefits include removing damaged or dangerous cells.
  • This process depends on genetic altruism within cells.
  • Self-promoting genes (endogenous or exogenous) can exploit cellular altruism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the fundamental flaw in apoptosis.
  • To explore how self-promoting genes exploit apoptosis.
  • To identify mechanisms controlling self-promoting genes.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of genetic conflict in apoptosis.
  • Review of cellular mechanisms in germ cell development.
  • Examination of endogenous and exogenous gene influences.

Main Results:

  • Apoptosis is vulnerable to exploitation by selfish genes.
  • Selfish genes can arise endogenously (e.g., neoplasia) or exogenously (pathogens).
  • Apoptotically impaired cells require external input for control.

Conclusions:

  • The maintenance of apoptosis is challenged by selfish genes.
  • Unique features of germ cell development (cytoplasmic bridges, supportive cells) aid control.
  • These germ cell features likely manage self-promoting genes, preventing exploitation.

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