Plato’s Beard

Genetic inheritence through RNA

Next time you meet a reductionist, you can wave this bit of news at him!

BBC | Spotty mice flout genetics laws[...]The scientists, based at the French Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, used mice which carry one normal version of Kit and one mutant version, giving them spotted tails.They bred these mice together, producing offspring with a range of Kit gene combinations:* two mutant genes (these are shown to die shortly after birth)* one mutant and one normal gene (these should be "spotty" like their parents)* two normal genes (these should not be spotty).However, the researchers found that mice born with two normal versions of Kit also had a spotted appendage."We were very surprised to see this," said Professor Minoo Rassoulzadegan, a geneticist at the University of Nice and lead author on the paper.After further investigation, the scientists suggested the transfer of RNA molecules as the cause.[...]