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Phenotypic and evolutionary implications of modulating the ERK-MAPK cascade using the dentition as a model
Pauline Marangoni1, Cyril Charles1, Paul Tafforeau2
1Evo-Devo of Vertebrate Dentition, Institute of Functional Genomics of Lyon, ENS de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Université Lyon 1 - Université de Lyon, 46 allée d'Italie, 69364 Lyon cedex 07, France.
Scientific Reports
|July 1, 2015
Summary
Investigating the ERK-MAPK cascade in mice reveals convergent dental phenotypes. This signaling pathway is crucial for tooth development and evolution, impacting tooth number and crown patterns.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The ERK-MAPK signaling cascade is vital for dental development, but its components' specific roles are unclear.
- Understanding phenotypic convergence in signaling pathways is key to developmental and evolutionary biology.
- Investigating gene functions in mice can illuminate evolutionary changes, such as the loss and reappearance of certain dental traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the diverse dental phenotypes in Spry2, Spry4, and Rsk2 mutant mice.
- To understand the specific roles of ERK-MAPK pathway components in tooth number determination and crown patterning.
- To examine how these genetic mutations relate to the evolutionary history of rodent dentition.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic analysis of Spry2(-/-), Spry4(-/-), and Rsk2(-/Y) mutant mice.
- Examination of dental anomalies, including supernumerary teeth (extra teeth).
- Comparison of mutant phenotypes with fossil records of ancestral mouse dentition.
Main Results:
- Mutant mice exhibited convergent dental phenotypes, with some anomalies resembling ancestral traits lost millions of years ago.
- Sprouty-2, Sprouty-4, and Rsk2 genes play distinct roles in regulating tooth number and crown morphology.
- Specific anomalies in mutant mice mirrored phenotypes present in ancient mouse ancestors predating 9 million years ago.
Conclusions:
- The ERK-MAPK cascade plays a fundamental role in the evolution of rodent dentition.
- Despite convergent phenotypes, each gene (Spry2, Spry4, Rsk2) has a unique function in tooth development.
- Studying these genetic pathways provides insights into the evolutionary plasticity of dental structures.
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