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Related Concept Videos

Position-effect Variegation02:32

Position-effect Variegation

In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
Epistasis01:39

Epistasis

In addition to multiple alleles at the same locus influencing traits, numerous genes or alleles at different locations may interact and influence phenotypes in a phenomenon called epistasis. For example, rabbit fur can be black or brown depending on whether the animal is homozygous dominant or heterozygous at a TYRP1 locus. However, if the rabbit is also homozygous recessive at a locus on the tyrosinase gene (TYR), it will have an unshaded coat that appears white, regardless of its TYRP1...
Polytene Chromosomes02:04

Polytene Chromosomes

Polytene chromosomes are giant interphase chromosomes with several DNA strands placed side by side. They were discovered in the year 1881 by Balbiani in salivary glands, intestine, muscles, malpighian tubules, and hypoderm of larvae Chironomus plumosus. Hence, these are also called "Salivary gland chromosomes." These are found in insects of the order Diptera and Collembola; in certain organs of mammals; and synergids, antipodes of flowering plants. Polytene chromosomes are also regularly...
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

In situ Protocol for Butterfly Pupal Wings Using Riboprobes
06:19

In situ Protocol for Butterfly Pupal Wings Using Riboprobes

Published on: May 28, 2007

Transcriptome analysis reveals novel patterning and pigmentation genes underlying Heliconius butterfly wing pattern

Heather M Hines1, Riccardo Papa, Mayte Ruiz

  • 1Department of Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA. hmh19@psu.edu

BMC Genomics
|July 4, 2012
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals new genes controlling Heliconius butterfly wing patterns. Researchers identified key genetic networks and pigment-related genes influencing butterfly coloration and evolution.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Evolutionary Genetics
  • Transcriptomics

Background:

  • Heliconius butterfly wing patterns showcase natural genetic variation driving complex adaptive phenotypes.
  • Previous studies identified some regulatory and pigmentation genes, but developmental networks remain largely unknown.
  • Understanding these networks is crucial for butterfly wing pattern evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the gene network involved in Heliconius wing pattern development and variation using a large-scale transcriptomic approach.
  • To uncover novel genes associated with wing pattern diversity.
  • To understand the genetic basis of adaptive phenotypes in Heliconius.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized over 140 transcriptome microarrays for gene expression analysis.
  • Assayed gene expression in dissected wing pattern elements across developmental stages and morphs of Heliconius erato.
  • Employed a large-scale transcriptomic approach to identify gene networks.

Main Results:

  • Identified putative early prepattern genes with color-pattern specific expression domains.
  • Discovered 51 differentially expressed genes associated with natural color pattern variation, including the 'switch gene' optix.
  • Found novel transporter genes for ommochrome pigmentation and identified upregulation of melanin-repressing genes like ebony and Dat1.

Conclusions:

  • This research identifies numerous novel genes involved in butterfly wing pattern development.
  • The study provides insights into the genetic networks affected by variation in color pattern evolution.
  • Highlights the complexity of genetic mechanisms underlying adaptive phenotypic evolution.