Molecular-Genetic Systems of Development: Functional Dynamics and Molecular Evolution

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K. V. Gunbin^*, V. V. Suslov, and N. A. Kolchanov

Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, pr. Lavrentieva 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; E-mail: genkvg@bionet.nsc.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received August 3, 2007; Revision received September 19, 2007

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This work for the first time compares results obtained with studies of parametric robustness of the Hh- and Dpp/BMP signal cascades responsible for morphogenesis and molecular evolution of the Hh- and Dpp/BMP cascade genes. There is a link between adaptive evolution of genes and those changes in kinetic parameters of the signal cascade models, which are critical for normal functioning of these cascades. Special attention is paid to events of the molecular evolution of the Hh- and Dpp/BMP cascade genes that matched with the emergence of the major taxonomic types and classes of Bilateria.

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KEY WORDS: Hh- and Dpp/BMP signal cascades, mathematical modeling, positive selection, Bilateria, compensatory changes

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297908020144

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