A UNIGE team shows how specifically modifying gene expression causes feathers to replace scales in the chicken. Scales, spines, feathers and hair are examples of vertebrate skin appendages, which constitute a remarkably diverse group of micro-organs. Despite their natural multitude of forms, thes
University of Geneva researchers have transformed chicken scales into feathers by temporarily modifying the Sonic hedgehog gene expression, revealing that significant evolutionary transitions can occur without major changes in the genome. This research sheds light on the mechanisms responsible for the wide diversity of animal forms. Credit: © UNIGE / Cooper & Milinkovitch
Scales, spines, feathers and hair are examples of vertebrate skin appendages, which constitute a remarkably diverse group of micro-organs. Despite their natural multitude of forms, these appendages share early developmental processes at the embryonic stage. Two researchers from the University of Geneva have discovered how to permanently transform the scales that normally cover the feet of chickens into feathers, by specifically modifying the expression of certain genes.
Feathers of the chicken embryo are used by scientists as a model system to understand skin appendage development. While it is known that certain breeds of chickens, such as the ‘Brahma’ and ‘Sablepoot’ varieties, exhibit feathered legs and dorsal foot surfaces, the genetic determinism of this trait is not fully understood.As the signaling pathways responsible for this transformation have not been fully determined, Michel Milinkovitch’s group investigated the potential role of the Shh pathway.
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