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The Modular Design and Production of an Intelligent Robot Based on a Closed-Loop Control Strategy
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Specialization can drive the evolution of modularity.

Carlos Espinosa-Soto1, Andreas Wagner

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. c.espinosa@bioc.uzh.ch

Plos Computational Biology
|April 3, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Modularity in gene regulatory networks can evolve as a byproduct of specialized gene activity. This process, driven by selection for new gene expression patterns, enhances evolutionary innovation and reduces genetic interference.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary developmental biology
  • Systems biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Organismal development and cellular processes exhibit modularity, characterized by tightly interacting groups of regulatory molecules with limited inter-group interactions.
  • Modularity is crucial for generating heritable variation and evolutionary innovations, but its developmental origins remain debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how modularity evolves in gene regulatory networks, particularly within developmental contexts.
  • To propose a mechanism for the evolution of modularity that is independent of environmental changes.

Main Methods:

  • Computational modeling of gene regulatory networks under selection for specialized gene activity patterns.
  • Analysis of network properties, including modularity, gene interaction patterns, and gene activity changes.

Main Results:

  • Modularity in gene regulatory networks can increase as a byproduct of specialization in gene activity, driven by selection for specific expression patterns.
  • Modules emerging from specialization show concerted changes in gene activities, suggesting decreased interference between gene groups.
  • The proposed mechanism explains modularity's appearance and maintenance without requiring environmental change.

Conclusions:

  • Specialization in gene activity provides a mechanism for the evolution of modularity in gene regulatory networks.
  • Evolved modularity can reduce interference between gene groups, facilitating evolutionary innovation and the co-option of existing gene activities.