Re: Algal genes in Elysia crispata
May 3, 2003
From: Philip Cromwell
Note added 30 May 2006: This is most probably Elysia clarki, a new species which was previously considered a colour form of E. crispata
Bill & Skip,
This conversation seems a little vague on the point of how the genes became a part of the slugs DNA. (This is from the point of view of a hobbiest not a biologist.)
Bill seems to imply that the genomic sequence could somehow be transferred from the alga to the slug and embedded in the DNA. If this is possible, I do not know, but it seems unlikely.
For some background information, my senior project in electrical engineering was to use a reprogrammable chip as a physical "body" for a genetic algorithm to evolve certain behaviors in response to stimulus. In the literature (much of which can be found at Adrian Thompson's home page http://www.cogs.susx.ac.uk/users/adrianth/ade.html) there is a suggestion that "junk" DNA, that currently contributes little/nothing to the function of the species, can become an evolutionary path to a more advantageous configuration (genetic sequence).
To bring this back to seaslugs, a population of slugs that is already using chloroplasts, would need to go through the same mutations, and have enough viable offspring to carry the new genetic sequence forward. This would be a "luck of the draw" situation, but certainly possible. Once obtained, however, this ability would certainly give its species great advantages over those without it. So, if direct transfer of the genetic sequence from alga to slug were possible, this would probably need to be done in each new slug. If it is just an evolutionary modification to the DNA, this sequence would be automatically transferred to the offspring.
If I'm way off base here, let me know.
Thanks,
Phil
chiron42@msn.com
Cromwell, P., 2003 (May 3) Re: Algal genes in Elysia crispata. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9844Thanks Phil,
No you are not way off base at all. I am sure Skip can give a better answer than I, and in fact his second message answers part of it. An excellent summary paper on this topic - which finishes with a paragraph on lateral gene transfer - is worth getting hold of.
• Mary E. Rumpho, Elizabeth J. Summer, and James R. Manhart (2000) Solar-Powered Sea Slugs. Mollusc/Algal Chloroplast Symbiosis. Plant Physiology, 123: 29-38.
Have a look at Liz Summer's earlier message about the paper.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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