According to Sean Carroll, "The three opsin genes of humans (SWS, MWS, and LWS) are also present in chimpanzees and other apes. However, most other mammals have just two opsins and genes, while birds and fish have four or more."
Amy the Mad Scientist has the embryo of a chimpanzee (in G0 state) and a fish with 4 opsins. Amy knows the DNA sequence for the genes that code for all 4 fish opsins, as well as the 3 opsins in the chimpanzee, but she doesn't know where these genes are found in the respective genomes. Amy wants to substitute the 3 opsin genes in the chimpanzee with the 4 opsin genes in the fish, so that she can observe the mutant chimp for further studying. How will she get about this?
Please be very thorough in your response. Subsequent responses following the first should build upon the pervious response, so that in the end, we have a very detailed process of how Amy should do this...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
First of all, can I state that I like your use of “Amy the mad scientist.” Now to answer the question, first Amy would need to map the genomes of the chimpanzee and the fish. This can be accomplished through many processes including chromosome walking and comparing RFLPs in both genomes. Since birds, fish, and mammals are somewhat genetically similar and have a relatively recent common ancestor, it can be assumed that the opsin genes would be relatively similar between the fish and the chimpanzee. Knowing this, Amy could use highly automated computer software to find areas of similarity in the genomes. Then calculating the length of these similarities (she knows the fish area of similarity should be 4/3 the length of the area of similarity in the chimpanzee), she will know which areas to test for the opsin locations. Amy could then use a vector, such as bacteria, to transplant the fish opsin genes into the chimpanzee genome. Then Amy can do whatever she likes with her mutant chimpanzee!
ReplyDelete