Recent discussion of genetic benefits of polyandry and female mate choice has distinguished between two potential factors influencing offspring quality: (i) some males carry higher quality genes and (ii) males and females differ in their degree of genetic compatibility. We examined evidence for effects of good genes and genetic compatibility on embryonic survival of sea lamprey (Petromyzon mari...

Eumetazoan mitochondrial tRNAs possess structures (identity elements) that require the specific recognition by their cognate nuclear-encoded aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. The AGA (arginine) codon of the standard genetic code has been reassigned to serine/glycine/termination in eumetazoan organelles and is translated in some organisms by a mitochondrially encoded tRNA(Ser)UCU. One mechanism to pre...

In Arabidopsis the floral identity of meristems is specified by the expression of a handful of genes that are activated upon the cues from several pathways leading to flowering. One of these genes is LEAFY (LFY) from Arabidopsis, which encodes a transcription factor that directly activates the expression of the floral identity MADS-box gene APETALA1 (AP1). In petunia, LFY ortholog ABERRANT LEAF...

Plant development is governed by intrinsic and environmental factors that regulate the identity and activity of meristems, organized tissues of pluripotent "stem" cells, that together determine plant form and architecture. However, little is known about how these factors act at the molecular leve1 to affect meristem identity and function. Genetic studies in Arabidopsis and other plant species s...

Characterizing and better understanding the genome organization and differentiating identity of genotypes based on their morphology and genome characteristics are vital determinants in their commercialization, management of germplasm repositories, and genetic conservation. Morphoagronomic characterization of plants is not always feasible or sometimes labor intensive. Employing chloroplast, mito...

In order to provide genetic information for the selective breeding of Siniperca chuatsi, 14 microsatellite DNA loci were used to evaluate the genetic diversity and structure of four farmed populations and one wild population in China. The four cultivated populations were Foshan (FS), Jiangmen (JM), Nanjing (NJ), and Hongze Lake (HZL), and the wild population was collected from the Hubei HuangGa...

We have examined how genetic pathways that specify neuronal identity and regulate neurogenesis interface in the vertebrate neural tube. Here, we demonstrate that expression of the proneural gene Neurogenin2 (Ngn2) in the ventral spinal cord results from the modular activity of three enhancers active in distinct progenitor domains, suggesting that Ngn2 expression is controlled by dorsoventral pa...

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) specifies the identity of both motor neurons (MNs) and interneurons with morphogen-like activity. Here, we present evidence that the homeodomain factor HB9 is critical for distinguishing MN and interneuron identity in the mouse. Presumptive MN progenitors and postmitotic MNs express HB9, whereas interneurons never express this factor. This pattern resembles a composite of t...

This paper suggests an analogy between education and genetic interventions as means of shaping the identity of children and future adults. It proposes to look at issues discussed in the philosophy of education as a possible source of insight for ethical guidelines regarding future genetic interventions. The paper focuses on situations of conflict between parents and state regarding the authorit...