"Protein-Based" Inheritance challenges the Central Dogma and Neo-Darwinism

"Charles Darwin never dismissed the possibility of some Larmackian mechanism operating along with natural selection acting on inherited variation.”

Article Protein-Based Inheritance: A Form of Epigenetics Beyond DNA

The classical understanding of inheritance has been centered around DNA, the molecule that encodes the genetic blueprint for an organism. However, in recent decades, scientists have uncovered a fascinating alternative mode of inheritance, known as protein-based inheritance. This process involves the transmission of traits across generations not through DNA sequences but through the conformation, or structure, of proteins.

Prions: The Pioneers of Protein-Based Inheritance

The most well-known examples of protein-based inheritance are prions, a class of proteins that can exist in two or more stable conformations. The prion's unique ability to self-template, or convert other proteins into its own conformation, allows it to perpetuate its structure from cell to cell and even across generations. This self-templating property is the foundation of protein-based inheritance, enabling the transmission of traits without altering the underlying DNA sequence.

Beyond Prions: The Expanding Landscape of Protein-Based Inheritance

Prions are just the tip of the iceberg in the world of protein-based inheritance. Recent research has revealed that a wider range of proteins, including those with intrinsically disordered regions, can also exhibit self-templating properties and contribute to epigenetic inheritance. These proteins, often referred to as "prion-like" proteins, are involved in diverse cellular processes, suggesting that protein-based inheritance may play a broader role in biology than previously thought.

Implications of Protein-Based Inheritance

The discovery of protein-based inheritance has challenged the traditional view of inheritance and opened up new avenues for research. It has raised questions about the evolutionary significance of this mode of inheritance and its potential impact on disease, adaptation, and even human evolution. Understanding the mechanisms of protein-based inheritance could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases and provide insights into the complex relationship between proteins and phenotypic traits.

Conclusion

Protein-based inheritance, a fascinating mode of transmission of traits through the conformation of proteins, has emerged as a significant player in biological processes. As research continues to unravel the intricacies of this phenomenon, we can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between proteins, DNA, and inheritance in shaping the diversity and adaptability of life.

Protein-based inheritance: challenges the central dogma and Neo-Darwinism

Central dogma. The central dogma of molecular biology is a theory stating that genetic information flows only in one direction, from DNA, to RNA, to protein, or RNA directly to protein

Francis Cricks Central Dogma of molecular biology states that information flows one way from DNA to RNA to protein. This means that DNA is the primary source of genetic information, and it is passed down from parents to offspring through the process of DNA replication. RNA is then transcribed from DNA, and it carries the genetic information to ribosomes, where it is translated into protein. Proteins are the molecules that carry out most of the work in cells, and they are responsible for a wide range of cellular functions.

According to Neo-Darwinism, evolution is driven by natural selection acting on random mutations in DNA. These mutations can lead to changes in the structure and function of proteins, and some of these changes may be beneficial to the organism. Beneficial mutations are more likely to be passed on to offspring, and over time, this can lead to the evolution of new traits and adaptations.

However, there is growing evidence that protein-based inheritance can also play a role in evolution. Protein-based inheritance occurs when a protein can pass on its structure or conformation to other proteins, even if those proteins have different amino acid sequences. This can happen through a process called self-templating, in which a misfolded protein can act as a template to cause other proteins to fold into the same misfolded conformation.

Protein-based inheritance has been implicated in a number of phenomena, including prion diseases, yeast phenotypic switching, and the transmission of certain traits in plants. It is thought that protein-based inheritance may be more common than previously thought, and it may play a significant role in evolution.

The existence of protein-based inheritance challenges the central dogma of molecular biology in two ways. First, it suggests that information can flow not just from DNA to RNA to protein, but also from protein to protein. Second, it suggests that inheritance can occur without any changes in DNA sequence. This means that protein-based inheritance can lead to the evolution of new traits and adaptations without the need for mutations.

The existence of protein-based inheritance also challenges Neo-Darwinism in a number of ways. First, it suggests that evolution can occur not just through natural selection acting on mutations in DNA, but also through the transmission of protein conformations. Second, it suggests that evolution can occur much more rapidly than previously thought, as protein conformations can be transmitted from one generation to the next without the need for mutations. Third, it suggests that evolution can be directed, as protein conformations can be specifically selected for their beneficial effects.

Overall, protein-based inheritance is a complex and fascinating phenomenon that has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of biology and evolution. It concludes NeoDarwinian needs modification or replacement.