Molecular-genetic systems of development: Functional dynamics and molecular evolution

Abstract

This work for the first time compares results obtained with studies of parametric robustness of the Hh- and Dpp/BMP signal cascades responsible for morphogenesis and molecular evolution of the Hh- and Dpp/BMP cascade genes. There is a link between adaptive evolution of genes and those changes in kinetic parameters of the signal cascade models, which are critical for normal functioning of these cascades. Special attention is paid to events of the molecular evolution of the Hh- and Dpp/BMP cascade genes that matched with the emergence of the major taxonomic types and classes of Bilateria.