Open Access Highly Accessed Research article

Dosage compensation is less effective in birds than in mammals

Yuichiro Itoh†, Esther Melamed†, Xia Yang, Kathy Kampf, Susanna Wang, Nadir Yehya, Atila Van Nas, Kirstin Replogle, Mark R Band, David F Clayton, Eric E Schadt, Aldons J Lusis and Arthur P Arnold*

  • * Corresponding author: Arthur P Arnold arnold@ucla.edu

  • † Equal contributors

Journal of Biology 2007, 6:2 doi:10.1186/jbiol53

Gene dosage - its misunderstood basis

Denys Wheatley   (2007-04-05 14:52)  Editor in Chief, CCI and TBMM email

Dr Itoh et al's paper, while interesting in its specific detail, has not grasped the basis of gene dosage. I recommend the authors reconsider this basis by consulting two early papers in TBMM (Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling), which is a BMC journal. The references are to John W Porteous' papers:

TBMM 1, 4, 2004

TBMM 1, 6, 2004

both of which are discussion on the meaning of Mendelian "genetics" (traits) when considered in the light of Kacser's Metabolic Regulation Hypothesis. Gene dosage is best understood only when levels of enzymes (or their products) approach a rate-limiting level within any metabolic (biocheical) pathway.

Competing interests

As indicated above, I am foundin editor (Editor-in Chief) of BMC's CCI and TBMM journals

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