Studying the genetics of development involves understanding how genes influence the growth and differentiation of organisms. Scientists focus on several key questions: which genes control development, when and where these genes are expressed, how they are regulated, and what happens when these genes are defective. Identifying the specific genes involved in development is crucial, as is determining their expression at various stages, from a single cell to a multicellular organism.
Gene regulation plays a significant role in development since all cells contain the same genetic material. The differences in cell fate arise from when and how genes are activated or repressed. A common method to explore these questions is through the use of model organisms, which are species that have been extensively studied and can provide insights applicable to other organisms, including humans. Examples of model organisms include yeast, plants, fruit flies, the nematode C. elegans, and mice. C. elegans is particularly valuable because its entire cell lineage is mapped, allowing researchers to track the fate of every cell from the zygote stage onward.
Development begins with a zygote, a fertilized egg that is totipotent, meaning it has the potential to develop into any cell type. As the zygote divides, cells undergo a process called determination, where they commit to specific fates, such as becoming brain or kidney cells. There are two main types of determination: mosaic and regulative. In mosaic determination, each cell has a predetermined fate, and if a cell is lost, it cannot be replaced, leading to abnormal development. In contrast, regulative determination allows cells to adjust their fates based on environmental conditions. If a cell is lost, other cells can compensate, resulting in normal development.
The variable gene activity hypothesis posits that the process of determination is controlled by the activation and inactivation of genes. This means that the differences in cell types arise from the timing and location of gene expression. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for grasping how development is regulated and how abnormalities can arise when gene function is disrupted.
In summary, the study of developmental genetics encompasses the exploration of gene function, expression timing, and regulatory mechanisms, with a focus on how these factors contribute to the proper development of organisms. The distinction between mosaic and regulative development highlights the adaptability of cellular processes in response to environmental changes, underscoring the complexity of genetic regulation in development.
