Evolutionary advantages of cell specialization: save and protect DNA.
As the transcribed regions of nuclear DNA are in a more open state, they are liable to be damaged by naturally or environmentally produced mutagens. Cell specializations make it possible to express fewer genes in individual cells of multicellular organisms, thus protecting genes from the damage of mutagens. We propose that this might account for the advantage of cell specialization, as an alternative to the traditional conception that cell specializations result in increased efficiency. The most efficient cell specialization to protect DNA is in the segregation of germ cell(s) and somatic cell(s). But in optimal environments, such specialization is expected to reduce the rate of reproduction, which might counteract its advantage of protecting DNA.
Niu
D K
DK
Department of Botany, School of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China.
Chen
J K
JK
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D002470:Cell Survival; D004247:DNA; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000502:physiology; D008957:Models, Genetic
D004247:DNA