Title: Human Sperm Gene Is 600 Million Years Old
Post by: Tank on July 25, 2010, 06:04:56 PM
Post by: Tank on July 25, 2010, 06:04:56 PM
Human Sperm Gene Is 600 Million Years Old (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100715172000.htm)
Interesting that sexual reproduction took a long time to arrive but when it did one of the underpinning genes really stuck around!
QuoteScienceDaily (July 16, 2010) â€" Just as styles in sexy clothes or fashion change from year to year and culture to culture, "sexy" genes, or genes specific to sex, also change rapidly. But there is one sex-specific gene so vital, its function has remained unaltered throughout evolution and is found in almost all animals, according to new research from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine...
Interesting that sexual reproduction took a long time to arrive but when it did one of the underpinning genes really stuck around!
Title: Re: Human Sperm Gene Is 600 Million Years Old
Post by: Heretical Rants on July 30, 2010, 12:53:24 AM
Post by: Heretical Rants on July 30, 2010, 12:53:24 AM
Male contraceptive steroids? No thanks.
If I ever want to sterilize myself I'd prefer a vasectomy. Seems less risky.
If I ever want to sterilize myself I'd prefer a vasectomy. Seems less risky.
QuoteWhen Xu's research group knocked out the Boule gene from a mouse, the animal appeared to be healthy but did not produce sperm.
"A sperm-specific gene like Boule is an ideal target for a male contraceptive drug," Xu noted.
Title: Re: Human Sperm Gene Is 600 Million Years Old
Post by: Martin TK on July 30, 2010, 01:24:06 AM
Post by: Martin TK on July 30, 2010, 01:24:06 AM
Quote from: "Tank"Human Sperm Gene Is 600 Million Years Old (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100715172000.htm)QuoteScienceDaily (July 16, 2010) â€" Just as styles in sexy clothes or fashion change from year to year and culture to culture, "sexy" genes, or genes specific to sex, also change rapidly. But there is one sex-specific gene so vital, its function has remained unaltered throughout evolution and is found in almost all animals, according to new research from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine...
Interesting that sexual reproduction took a long time to arrive but when it did one of the underpinning genes really stuck around!
I knew mine were OLD, just didn't realize they were that OLD...
Title: Re: Human Sperm Gene Is 600 Million Years Old
Post by: alairellis23 on July 30, 2010, 10:08:26 AM
Post by: alairellis23 on July 30, 2010, 10:08:26 AM
After read that article I think that the gene originated then, so what it evolved from is unknown. The research is showing the common ancestral origin for that particular gene.
Title: Re: Human Sperm Gene Is 600 Million Years Old
Post by: Tank on July 30, 2010, 11:58:24 AM
Post by: Tank on July 30, 2010, 11:58:24 AM
Quote from: "alairellis23"After read that article I think that the gene originated then, so what it evolved from is unknown. The research is showing the common ancestral origin for that particular gene.Hi Welcome aboard.
To say that what the gene evolved from is 'unknown' isn't quite the whole story as we do know that the gene came from something very, very similar, which is the primary driving force behind natural (forgive my if I am teaching my grandma to suck eggs!). It is however very impressive that a gene can be replicated through so many different organisms over such an immense period of time. A bit like visual pigment genes which are also remarkably stable.