Ragtime jumping

Article Abstract:

Transposons, a form of selfish DNA, exist because they are able to selectively replicate through encoded proteins. Such elements sometimes play a useful part in evolution and may have generated new gene arrangements that have led to new evolutionary paths. A new study suggests that the human immune system's repertoire has evolved from one transposon insertion, occurring 450 million years ago in the ancestor of jawed vertebrates. It is hypothesized that the split nature of immunoglobin and TCR genes is derived from an ancestral gene not present in jawless vertebrates.

Genetic recombination, Transposons, Genetic research

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A gene triggering flower formation in Arabidopsis

Article Abstract:

Abnormal expression of the APETALA1 (AP1) gene in Arabidopsis induces reproductive growth in the apical and lateral meristems. However, these transgenic plants form normal flowers only when the LEAFY gene is expressed. AP1 ectopic expression reduces the vegetative phase by reducing the delay in flowering during short days conditions. The phenotype of transgenic plants having AP1 gene expressed is similar to those caused by mutation in the TERMINAL FLOWER gene.

Gene expression, Plants, Flowering of, Plant flowering, Arabidopsis

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