Abstract
The origin of new morphological characters is a long-standing problem in evolutionary biology. Novelties arise through changes in development, but the nature of these changes is largely unknown. In butterflies, eyespots have evolved as new pattern elements that develop from special organizers called foci. Formation of these foci is associated with novel expression patterns of the Hedgehog signaling protein, its receptor Patched, the transcription factor Cubitus interruptus, and the engrailed target gene that break the conserved compartmental restrictions on this regulatory circuit in insect wings. Redeployment of preexisting regulatory circuits may be a general mechanism underlying the evolution of novelties.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Biological Evolution
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Body Patterning
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Butterflies / anatomy & histology
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Butterflies / genetics*
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Butterflies / growth & development
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
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Drosophila Proteins*
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Gene Expression Regulation*
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Genes, Insect
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Hedgehog Proteins
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
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Homeodomain Proteins / physiology
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Insect Proteins / genetics*
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Insect Proteins / physiology
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / physiology
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Pigmentation
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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Signal Transduction
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / physiology
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Transcription, Genetic
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Wings, Animal / anatomy & histology
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Wings, Animal / growth & development*
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Wings, Animal / metabolism
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Drosophila Proteins
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Hedgehog Proteins
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Homeodomain Proteins
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Insect Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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Transcription Factors
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ci protein, Drosophila
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engrailed homeobox proteins
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inv protein, Drosophila
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ptc protein, Drosophila
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hh protein, Drosophila