Black Queen Hypothesis: How Genes Are Turned Off

[CellsRcool]

I was just wondering, does anyone know how a gene is turned off in the Black Queen Hypothesis?

My suspicion is that the trigger for that piece of DNA is turned off, perhaps through the release of some hormone? This is just a guesss with what knowledge I have on the topic.


Here is an article on the Black Queen Hypothesis, for those who do not know what it is:
http://mbioblog.asm.org/mbiosphere/2012/03/the-black-queen-hypothesis-how-microbes-lose-a-necessary-function-and-survive-to-tell-the-tale-.html

 

[nmz787]

Its more likely a mutation in the DNA, or the actual DNA gets lost/deleted during cell replication. The resulting cell, if able to survive thanks to "stealing" or "borrowing" nutrients/etc from other cells or species in the environment (think symbiosis, whether mutual or parasitic) it actually has an advantage over its parent and sister cells, because the loss of that gene means less DNA and protein to replicate and maintain.

 

[CellsRcool]

oh! thx