Biologists from Stanford University have discovered an unusual mechanism of genetic mutations in corals. These
The researchers analyzed the genomes of corals,derived from different branches of the same tree animal. The deciphered genome showed hundreds of places in each individual branch where the DNA was slightly different - these differences represent localized mutations in these branches.
After that, the researchers grew the samecorals in the lab to see which mutations will be passed on to germ cells and future generations. The analysis showed that many mutations in normal coral tissues were transferred to gametes. This means that mutations that occur during coral growth can then be passed on to offspring in the next generation.
Humans and most animals have similar mutationsdon't happen. Most organisms receive a certain set of genes from their parents and pass it on to their children. There are mutations in germ cells and only they can be passed on to descendants. Genetic mutations that occur in ordinary (non-reproductive) cells, such as skin or lung cells, can burden subsequent generations with potentially bad genes and are not passed on, scientists explain.
Having studied the formation of mutations in corals, the authorsfound that, as a rule, those that do not change the sequence of amino acids in proteins are transmitted to the next generations. This means that the corals filtered out potentially harmful mutations and passed on changes that did not harm the cells or potentially benefit them.
Researchers note that many corals livehundreds, and some even thousands of years. Apparently, the unusual inheritance of mutations is associated with the need to adapt to changes in the external environment throughout the life of the organism. In most organisms, the "testing" of various genetic changes and selection takes place over several generations through mutations in germ cells. Corals, as the authors of the work believe, "experience" different sets of genes within the same organism.
Read more:
A treasure with 1,000 coins was accidentally found on a farm: what could they buy
Named a vitamin that protects the brain from dementia
It turned out which men are the most fertile: their sperm is 50% better than the rest