The identification of controller genes has been a significant recent finding in developmental biology. Networks and cascades of controller genes serve to orchestrate expression of the genome during embryo development. Now we have a lot of knowledge about mechanisms of appearance and maintenance of patterns of the controller genes expression.
My computer simulations of evolution of the gene networks governing the embryo morphogenesis show possibility for self-assemblage (or "outgrowth") of the networks in evolution. This self-assemblage proceeds by means of recruiting of a new gene via closing up of new cascades of interactions between new and old members of the network. (These new genes could appear by way of duplication of the members of this net or another one.) If these newly formed gene systems proved to be good for raising of level of organisation, these Goldschmidt' perspective monsters can be caught up by selection.
I must emphasize that such selection is effective if only the
design of the wild genome allows appropriate reorganizations in
principle. If testable in calculations wild-type genome have not
appropriate potential for complexification, selection will not
help. Impressive outgrowth of the pair-rule network on the way
from long- to short-germ band insects are inspired us to search
simple regulatory networks with appropriate
potential for complexification.
Regulatory Nets with High Potential for Complexification
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