Arabidopsis reverse evolution

A special RNA reversible function of a gene, so that the flowers exception of Arabidopsis (upper) generations back to normal (lower) biologists believe that DNA is the flora and fauna unique genetic information warehouse. A surprising new findings challenge that notion. Arabidopsis sometimes has its version of the gene (s), rather than to a variation of its parents. Therefore scientists proposed a radical idea that plants contain a genetic RNA storage, you can let evolution reversed, eliminate variation and let a gene back to a previous form.

United States Purdue University's Susan Lolle and Robert Pruitt on Arabidopsis gene, called HOTHEAD, first discovered genes able to return to the status of the 3 years ago. There is a mutation went back to its original state. In a gene on the variation of HOTHEAD plants, flowers gathered together to form a small ball, when such a plant self pollination, it to their offspring a variation of HOTHEAD gene, their flowers are gathered into small balls and not scattered.

However, Lolle and Pruitt, 1% to 10% of children had a good take, this indicates that at least one mutation gene copy returned no variation in wild type. "Mendelian genetics didn't tell us," said Pruitt. He and Lolle 24 March by the journal nature reported on this discovery. Pruitt said, from the original gene of RNA "template" stored in gametes, which is the reverse to the original gene mutation gene most likely factors.

This thesis "that there is a free use of the unique genetic storage system," France Plant Genome Research Institute of Vincent Colot said. If this new found can be confirmed, and in animals can also be found, it will deeply affect the bio-medical and population genetics. Australia Sydney University of Emma Whitelaw said, for example, geneticists attempt to estimate disease risks, to take into account the RNA storage system.