Molecular epigenesis: distributed specificity as a break in the central dogma

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Epigenetics

Background:

• The central dogma posits that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein.
• Its interpretation by Waters and Rosenberg emphasizes template-derived sequence specificity.
• Gene expression regulation presents phenomena that challenge this strict template-driven model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To challenge the central dogma of molecular biology.
• To introduce the thesis of 'molecular epigenesis' and 'distributed causal specificity'.
• To redefine the understanding of genetic information flow and gene product specificity.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of gene expression regulation phenomena.
• Examination of processes like transcriptional activation, alternative splicing, and RNA editing.
• Theoretical argumentation for distributed causal specificity.

Main Results:

• Identified phenomena (sequence activation, selection, creation) that break from the central dogma.
• Demonstrated that sequence specificity is not solely template-derived.
• Highlighted the roles of cis-acting sequences, trans-acting factors, and cellular history.

Conclusions:

• The central dogma's interpretation has unduly restricted genetic research.
• Molecular epigenesis and distributed causal specificity offer a more comprehensive framework.
• Future research should move beyond unilinear pathways and exclusive specificity.