以发育模块重复征用和整合为基础的进化创新机制

进化新征的起源和分化是进化发育生物学研究的核心问题。通过对多细胞生物早期发育调控机制的比较分析，发现亲缘关系较远的生物所共有的一些形态特征受保守的发育调控程序调节（深同源性）。许多创新性状的发生是基于对预先存在的基因或发育调控模块的重复利用和整合。发育基因调控网络在结构和功能上高度模块化，因此不仅可以通过模块拆分和重复征用改变发育程式，而且也增强了调控网络自身的进化力。研究基因调控网络和发育系统的进化动态将有助于更深入地认识生物演化过程中创新性状发生和表型进化的分子机制。

Evolutionary Innovation Based on Co-option and Integration of Developmental Modules

The origin and diversification of evolutionary novelties is one of the key issues in evolutionary developmental biology. Comparative analyses of the genetic mechanisms controlling early development of multicellular organisms have revealed that many morphological traits that are shared between distantly related organisms were controlled by conserved gene regulatory machinery (deep homology). The evolution of novel morphological traits often involves the co-option of pre-existing genes and/or genetic regulatory circuits. Developmental gene regulatory networks are structurally and functionally modular. The property of modularity not only allows to alter development through dissociation and co-option of individual modules, but also enhances the evolvability of the network. Studying the evolutionary dynamics of gene networks and the evolution of development will extend our understanding of the mechanistic relationships between the processes of individual development and phenotypic change during evolution.