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Of mice and genes: evolution of vertebrate brain developmentIn this review the current understanding of genetic and molecular evolution of development, in particular the formation of the major axis of bilateral animals, is critically evaluated, and the early pattern formation in the hindbrain is related as much as possible to these processes. On the genetic level it is proposed that the exuberant multiplication of regulatory genes compared to that of structural genes relates to the increased flexibility of early vertebrate development. In comparisons to fruit flies, many conserved genes are found to be expressed very differently, while many others seem to reflect a comparable pattern and thus suggest a conservation of function. Even genes with a largely conserved pattern of expression may change the level at which they are expressed and the mechanisms by which they are regulated in their expression. Evolution and development of hindbrain motoneurons is reviewed, and it is concluded that both comparative data as well as more recent experimental data suggest a limited importance for the rhombomeres. Clearly, many cell fate-specifying processes work below the level of rhombomeres or in the absence of rhombomeres. It is suggested that more comparative developmental data are needed to establish firmly the relationship between homeobox genes and rhombomere specification in vertebrates other than a few model species.
Document ID
20040142200
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Fritzsch, B.
(Creighton University Omaha, NE 68178, United States)
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: Brain, behavior and evolution
Volume: 52
Issue: 5-Apr
ISSN: 0006-8977
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: 2P01 DC00215
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Developmental Biology
Non-NASA Center
Review, Tutorial
Review

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