Biophysics Precedes Biochemistry In Hox Gene Collinearity

摘要: Background: Hox gene collinearity is a universal phenomenon most emphatically observed during the development of vertebrate embryos. The last decade or so, series genetic engineering experiments have been performed including deletions, duplications transpositions. These are illuminating and helpful to understand mechanisms responsible for collinearity. Until now several models proposed based on well established biomolecular mechanisms. Even though these models, in particular ‘two-waves model’, efficiently describe many features phenomenon, they leave other findings unexplained. Results: A ‘biophysical model’ has publications, quite different hypothesis, namely generation physical forces. forces act clusters translocate genes step by from inside chromatin territory, where remain inactive, toward transcription factory domain can be transcribed. This model feature was recently confirmed. corpus data explained biophysical model, even parts two-waves not successful. Furthermore, reproduce wide class experimental after implanting signalling molecules (e.g. FGF SHH) developing limb bud. Conclusion: proceeds two steps: firstly, force generated that moves gradually timely manner location activation possible. Subsequently, bio-molecular machinery enhancers, repressors etc) takes over completes genes. Experiments test this hypothesis.