A Maternal-Offspring Coadaptation Theory for the Evolution of Genomic Imprinting
2006
A New Theory for the Evolution of Genomic Imprinting
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Jason Wolf, Reinmar Hager
Hypothesis
Does maternal-offspring coadaptation explain the evolution of genomic imprinting?
Conclusion
The study suggests that genomic imprinting enhances offspring development and fitness through maternal-offspring coadaptation.
Supporting Evidence
- The authors' model accounts for genetic coadaptation evidence between mother and offspring.
- Genomic imprinting increases population mean fitness by enhancing maternal-offspring trait adaptation.
- A study in mice showed that every gene exclusively imprinted in the placenta was maternally expressed.
Takeaway
This study says that when mothers and their babies work well together genetically, it helps the babies grow better, even if it means only using one copy of a gene.
Methodology
The authors mathematically analyzed the relationship between the level of imprinting and the average fitness of individuals.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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