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The gain and loss of plasticity during development and evolution
Amber Q Rock1, Mansi Srivastava1
1Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Trends in Cell Biology
|March 4, 2025
Summary
Embryonic plasticity varies across species and links to development and regeneration. New research using modern tools can uncover mechanisms regulating this plasticity and how it is maintained into adulthood.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Evolutionary developmental biology
- Regenerative medicine
Background:
- Classical studies revealed species-specific embryonic plasticity linked to cleavage patterns and adult regeneration.
- Modern molecular and genetic tools offer new avenues to investigate embryonic plasticity.
- Understanding plasticity loss in mammalian embryos is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Synthesize existing knowledge on embryonic and adult plasticity.
- Provide a framework for organizing plasticity data across diverse species.
- Identify conserved genetic mechanisms regulating plasticity over developmental time.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of previous research.
- Analysis of classical experiments with modern molecular and genetic perspectives.
- Comparative analysis across a wide range of species.
Main Results:
- Embryonic plasticity exhibits significant interspecies variation.
- Plasticity is associated with specific cleavage programs and adult regenerative capabilities.
- Mechanisms for plasticity loss in mammalian embryos are identified.
Conclusions:
- A framework is proposed for studying embryonic plasticity across species.
- Future research in novel organisms can identify shared principles of plasticity.
- Understanding plasticity mechanisms may reveal pathways for its maintenance into adulthood.
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