RE: Opposite of antagonistic pleiotropy

From: Ramez Naam (mez@apexnano.com)
Date: Wed Apr 02 2003 - 10:19:15 MST

  • Next message: Ramez Naam: "RE: Opposite of antagonistic pleiotropy"

    From: BillK [mailto:bill@wkidston.freeserve.co.uk]
    > There is also discussion that antagonistic pleiotropy itself doesn't

    > exist either. (See footnote below)
    >
    > It is suggested that the evolutionary theory of senescence
    > should be focused on those evolutionary principles that have been
    > validated experimentally, and that the notion of antagonistic
    > pleiotropy be dropped from theories of the evolution of
    > senescence.

    Antagonistic pleiotropy has been demonstrated many times in the lab.

    Several genetic mutations have been found which increase mean and
    maximum lifespan of animals but which introduce features that reduce
    survivability or fertility.

    Thus, the alleles that lack these mutations are examples of
    antagonistic pleiotropy - they help the animal survive or breed at an
    early age, but hasten the aging process and thus death.

    mez



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