Essay
Genetic inheritence through RNA
Tags
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. […]
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.
[…]