For an animal to develop normally, cells must not only become the right types but also do so at the right time. In the worm C. elegans, the protein LIN28 has long been known as an important regulator of this timing: It keeps cells in a flexible state and delays their shift toward adult-like forms. In humans and other mammals, related LIN28 proteins have been associated with the timing of puberty.

For an animal to develop normally, cells must not only become the right types but also do so at the right time. In the worm C. elegans, the protein LIN28 has long been known as an important regulator of this timing: It keeps cells in a flexible state and delays their shift toward adult-like forms. In humans and other mammals, related LIN28 proteins have been associated with the timing of puberty.

From Biology News - Evolution, Cell theory, Gene theory, Microbiology, Biotechnology via This RSS Feed.