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Canalization: a molecular genetic perspective

A S Wilkins1

  • 1Company of Biologists, Ltd., Cambridge, UK.

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|March 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Genetic canalization buffers development against mutations, with co-expressed paralogous genes acting as backups. Other genetic mechanisms also contribute to this developmental stability, with evolutionary and mechanistic questions remaining.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Genetics
  • Evolutionary biology

Background:

  • Canalization, the buffering of developmental pathways, was described decades ago.
  • Molecular genetics has advanced, but classical canalization concepts remain underexplored.
  • Genetic canalization stabilizes development against mutational impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To interpret classical canalization in molecular genetic terms.
  • To explore the role of co-expressed paralogous genes in genetic canalization.
  • To discuss other genetic sources and evolutionary/mechanistic questions of canalization.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent findings on genetic canalization.
  • Analysis of co-expressed paralogous genes as backup elements.
  • Conceptualization of additional genetic sources for canalization.

Main Results:

  • Co-expressed paralogous genes can buffer developmental processes against mutations.
  • Paralogues are not the sole basis for genetic canalization.
  • Other genetic mechanisms contributing to canalization are proposed.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic canalization is partly mediated by paralogous gene backups.
  • Multiple genetic factors contribute to developmental stability.
  • Further research is needed on evolutionary and mechanistic aspects of canalization and developmental instability.

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