| Autor: |
Cooper RL; Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK., Thiery AP; Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK., Fletcher AG; School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK., Delbarre DJ; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK., Rasch LJ; Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.; Human Developmental Biology Resource, Institute of Child Health, University College, London, UK., Fraser GJ; Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.; Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
Vertebrates have a vast array of epithelial appendages, including scales, feathers, and hair. The developmental patterning of these diverse structures can be theoretically explained by Alan Turing's reaction-diffusion system. However, the role of this system in epithelial appendage patterning of early diverging lineages (compared to tetrapods), such as the cartilaginous fishes, is poorly understood. We investigate patterning of the unique tooth-like skin denticles of sharks, which closely relates to their hydrodynamic and protective functions. We demonstrate through simulation models that a Turing-like mechanism can explain shark denticle patterning and verify this system using gene expression analysis and gene pathway inhibition experiments. This mechanism bears remarkable similarity to avian feather patterning, suggesting deep homology of the system. We propose that a diverse range of vertebrate appendages, from shark denticles to avian feathers and mammalian hair, use this ancient and conserved system, with slight genetic modulation accounting for broad variations in patterning. |
