Scientists Unlock Dinosauresque Feathers by Disrupting a Key Gene in Chickens!

What if you could peek into the past and see how feathers first evolved? A recent study combines genetics and embryology, shedding light on this fascinating topic. Researchers Professor Michel Milinkovitch and Rory Cooper wanted to explore a specific genetic pathway called Sonic Hedgehog, or Shh. This pathway is crucial for how certain features, like feathers, develop in animals.

In earlier work, the duo discovered that activating the Shh pathway made chicken embryos develop feathers instead of their usual scaly feet. But this time, they wanted to see what would happen if they blocked the pathway instead. They injected chicken embryos with a molecule that inhibited the Shh pathway. The results were unexpected. By day nine of development, instead of normal feathers, the embryos began forming primitive structures that looked like proto-feathers.

These early feather-like structures are believed to have existed in some dinosaurs. It suggests that the Shh pathway plays a significant role in feather evolution. However, these proto-feathers weren’t a permanent change. By two weeks, feather development began to revert to the usual process. When the chicks hatched, they had some bare patches of skin, but remarkable recovery occurred. The follicles reactivated weeks later, leading to typical feathers.

Milinkovitch noted, "Our experiments show that while a temporary disruption in the development of foot scales can lead to permanent feathering, it’s much harder to completely disrupt feather development." Essentially, while creating a dino-chicken hybrid might not be in the cards, the study reveals how strong and resilient the genetic processes for feather development are.

Importantly, this finding could impact broader fields, including evolutionary biology and genetics. The resilience of the Shh pathway showcases how evolutionary processes adapt over time to prevent significant changes, even amidst disturbances. As Milinkovitch stated, "The big challenge now is to understand how genetic interactions evolve to allow for features like proto-feathers."

The research is documented in more detail in the scientific journal PLOS Biology, contributing valuable insights into how modern birds are linked to their dinosaur ancestors. Engaging with evolving science like this reveals not only our biological history but also the intricate work of geneticists and evolutionary biologists striving to decode the complexities of life.

Source link