A novel gene family controls species-specific morphological traits in Hydra
2008
A Novel Gene Family Controls Species-Specific Morphological Traits in Hydra
Sample size: 100
publication
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Khalturin K, Anton-Erxleben F, Sassmann S, Wittlieb J, Hemmrich G, Bosch TCG
Primary Institution: Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
Hypothesis
What genes are differentially expressed in two closely related species and how many?
Conclusion
The study suggests that a family of novel genes is responsible for morphological differences between closely related species of Hydra.
Supporting Evidence
- Species-specific differences in tentacle formation correlate with expression of a taxonomically restricted gene.
- Gain of function induces changes in morphology that mirror the phenotypic differences observed between species.
- Novel genes may play a role in the creation of novel morphological features.
Takeaway
Scientists found that special genes help Hydra polyps grow different shapes and sizes of tentacles, which helps them adapt to their environment.
Methodology
The researchers compared transcriptomes of two closely related Hydra species using suppression subtractive hybridization.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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