Bridging the gap: The developmental aspects of evolution

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Abstract

The commentaries on Evolution in Four Dimensionsreflect views ranging from total adherence to gene-centered neo-Darwinism, to the acceptance of non-genetic and Lamarckian processes in evolution. We maintain that genetic, epigenetic, behavioral, and cultural variations have all been significant, and that the developmental aspects of heredity and evolution are an important bridge that can unite seemingly conflicting research programs and different disciplines.

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Most cited references 77

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Epigenetic programming by maternal behavior.

Ian C G Weaver, Nadia Cervoni, Frances A Champagne … (2004)

Here we report that increased pup licking and grooming (LG) and arched-back nursing (ABN) by rat mothers altered the offspring epigenome at a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene promoter in the hippocampus. Offspring of mothers that showed high levels of LG and ABN were found to have differences in DNA methylation, as compared to offspring of 'low-LG-ABN' mothers. These differences emerged over the first week of life, were reversed with cross-fostering, persisted into adulthood and were associated with altered histone acetylation and transcription factor (NGFI-A) binding to the GR promoter. Central infusion of a histone deacetylase inhibitor removed the group differences in histone acetylation, DNA methylation, NGFI-A binding, GR expression and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) responses to stress, suggesting a causal relation among epigenomic state, GR expression and the maternal effect on stress responses in the offspring. Thus we show that an epigenomic state of a gene can be established through behavioral programming, and it is potentially reversible.

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Persister cells, dormancy and infectious disease.

Kim Lewis (2007)

Several well-recognized puzzles in microbiology have remained unsolved for decades. These include latent bacterial infections, unculturable microorganisms, persister cells and biofilm multidrug tolerance. Accumulating evidence suggests that these seemingly disparate phenomena result from the ability of bacteria to enter into a dormant (non-dividing) state. The molecular mechanisms that underlie the formation of dormant persister cells are now being unravelled and are the focus of this Review.

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Phenotypic diversity, population growth, and information in fluctuating environments.

Edo Kussell, Stanislas Leibler (2005)

Organisms in fluctuating environments must constantly adapt their behavior to survive. In clonal populations, this may be achieved through sensing followed by response or through the generation of diversity by stochastic phenotype switching. Here we show that stochastic switching can be favored over sensing when the environment changes infrequently. The optimal switching rates then mimic the statistics of environmental changes. We derive a relation between the long-term growth rate of the organism and the information available about its fluctuating environment.

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Author and article information

Journal

Title: Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Abbreviated Title: Behav Brain Sci

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

ISSN (Print): 0140-525X

ISSN (Electronic): 1469-1825

Publication date Created: August 2007

Publication date (Electronic): December 17 2007

Publication date (Print): August 2007

Volume: 30

Issue: 4

Pages: 378-389

Article

DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X07002361

SO-VID: f583a720-2b30-442d-80c1-1958929fb453

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https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms

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