In a new study, scientists have discovered how “junk” or non-coding DNA quickly changes color and
"We are interested to know how oneAnd the same gene can create completely different butterflies, explained Ani Mazo-Vargas, Ph.D. and co-author of the study. “It turned out that there is a very conservative group of “switches” [non-coding DNA] that operate in different positions, are activated and control the genome.”
Previously, scientists identified key color genes:WntA, which controls striping, and Optix, which is responsible for the color and iridescence of butterfly wings. When the researchers turned off the Optix gene, the wings turned black, and when the WntA gene was removed, the stripe patterns disappeared.
Photo: CC0 Public Domain
In a new study, biologistsfocused on the influence of non-coding DNA on the WntA gene. In particular, they experimented with 46 of these non-coding elements in five species of nymphalid butterflies, the largest family.
In order for these non-coding regulatoryelements controlled the genes, the tightly wound strands of DNA unwind. This is a sign that the regulatory element interacts with the gene, activating it or, in some cases, turning it off.
During the study, scientists usedATAC-seq technology to identify the region of the genome where this unraveling occurs. Biologists compared ATAC-seq profiles of the wings of five butterfly species to identify genetic regions that are involved in the development of wing patterns. They were surprised to find that a large number of regulatory regions were shared across butterfly species. Gradually, scientists realized that most evolution occurs due to mutations in the non-coding regions of the genome.
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