From genes to color: Evolutionary insights and mechanistic pathways of the yellow gene in insect pigmentation
1 Depaartment of Surgery, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
2 Department of Genetics, Loyola Academy, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
3 Department of Biotechnology, Malla Reddy Engineering College, Medchal, Telangana, India.
Review
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2024, 08(01), 079–084.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijbpsa.2024.8.1.0070
Publication history:
Received on 05 July 2024; revised on 29 August 2024; accepted on 31 August 2024
Abstract:
Insect pigmentation plays a vital role in ecology and evolution, influencing survival, mate attraction, and communication. This review examines the complex mechanisms governing insect coloration, focusing on the roles of pigments (melanins and carotenoids) and structural colors. Specifically, the yellow gene in Drosophila is highlighted for its critical function in melanin biosynthesis and its evolutionary implications. Variations in the yellow gene's expression and regulation, influenced by both cis- and trans-regulatory elements, contribute to the phenotypic diversity of pigmentation patterns across insect species. The interplay between developmental genes and the yellow gene further illustrates how subtle genetic changes drive morphological diversity. While advances in CRISPR and other genetic tools have enhanced our understanding of pigmentation, challenges remain in deciphering the gene’s complex interactions and the influence of environmental factors. Future research should focus on refining genomic techniques, exploring environmental impacts on pigmentation, and utilizing single-cell omics to gain deeper insights into the regulatory networks governing the yellow gene. This comprehensive understanding of insect pigmentation will not only enrich our knowledge of biodiversity but also inform conservation and biotechnological innovations.
Keywords:
Drosophila; Yellow gene; Pigmentation; Gene regulation
Full text article in PDF:
Copyright information:
Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0