Genome editing in butterflies reveals nature of shadowy eyespots on wings
Q. Scientists have used which genome editing to cut out a gene in butterflies called salt?- Published on 16 Jun 16a. Talens
b. CRISPR
c. Valens
d. DRISPR
ANSWER: CRISPR
Tweaking just one or two genes, Cornell University researchers altered patterns on their wings and showed how colour patterns and other patterns and shapes evolved. By using the new method of CRISPR genome editing, researchers cut out a gene known as spalt, and produced a butterfly lacking the large round markings known as eyespots. In another experiment, they removed a gene known as distal-less and produced more and larger eyespots.
- The experiments also produced changes in other parts of the wing design.
- The distal-less gene in particular revealed itself as a jack-of-all-trades gene that plays roles in shaping several parts of the body. Deleting it not only caused the butterfly to have extra eyespots, but to have shorter legs and antennae.
- Butterfly wing patterns are of special interest to evolutionary biologists because they provide an easily accessible model of how natural selection chooses from many possible variations.
- The researchers worked with the butterflies Vanessa cardui, known as the "Painted Lady" or "Cosmopolitan" and Junonia coenia, the “Buckeye.”
