Molecular-Genetic Mechanisms of Development

Although as part of my general plan, this book is a continua tion of my earlier monograph "Protein Biosynthesis and Problems of Ontogenesis,"* published in 1963, in all other respects it is an independent work. The earlier monograph was devoted to the analysis of many of the aspects of the problem of protein biosynthesis, and problems of inheritance and development were discussed only insofar as they are derivatives of the problems of biosynthesis. The complex act of protein biosynthesis, comprising autore production of the genetic material (DNA), formation of the templates of protein synthesis (messenger RNA), synthesis of amino acid carriers (transfer RNA), formation of ribosomes and polysomes, activation of amino acids, and so on, was examined in the previous monograph not merely from the standpoint of interaction between the components of this system, but also from that of their mani festation in actual biological systems during morphogenesis and aging of the organism. However, both morphogenesis and aging were investigated very generally, Simply as models, without any detailed analysis of their specific features and complexity. The present book is therefore a logical continuation of its prede cessor. It rests largely on a comprehensive analysis of the molecular-genetic and biochemical aspects of development and differentiation of living organisms, and questions of protein biosyn thesis are discussed briefly and generally, and only so far as is necessary for fulfillment of the primary task. - Zh. A. Medvedev. 1966. Protein Biosynthesis and Problems of Heredity. Developement.

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1. The Elementary Acts of Morphogenesis: Processes of Biosynthesis of Informational Macromolecules. The Biochemical Mechanisms of Transfer of Genetic Information.- Literature Cited.- 2. Molecular-Genetic Mechanisms of Reproduction and Morphogenesis of Viruses.- Conclusion.- Literature Cited.- 3. Molecular-Genetic Mechanisms of Morphogenesis and Intracellular Biochemical Differentiation of Monochromosomal Bacterial Cells.- Literature Cited.- 4. Molecular-Gentic Systems Controlling Morphogenesis and Differentiation in Multicellular Organisms. Molecular Structure of Chromosomes of the Cell Nucleus and Structural and Biochemical Features of Genetic and Functional Differentiation of Chromosomes.- Literature Cited.- 5. Biochemical Realization of the Morphogenetic Program. Changes in Proteins and Nucleic Acids During Processes of Differentiation and Development.- Literature Cited.- 6. Chromosomal Proteins and Their Role in Regulation of Selective Gene Activity During Differentiation and in Specialized Cells.- Conclusion. Discussion of the Genetic Function of Histones.- Literature Cited.- 7. Induction of Differentiated Activity of the Genes by Cytoplasmic and Chromosomal Factors and its Role in the General Organization of Morphogenesis.- Literature Cited.- 8. Molecular Mechanisms Programming Morphogenesis and Differentiation. A Theoretical Analysis.- Literature Cited.- 9. Recent Advances in the Study of Molecular-Genetic Mechanisms of Development.1. New Material on the Mechanism of Transfer of Genetic Information.2. New Data Concerning Mechanisms of Morphogenesis of Viruses.3. New Data on the Molecular Mechanisms of Regulation of the Morphogenesis of Bacteria.4. Functional Activity of the Chromosomes in Morphogenesis and Differentiation.5. New FactsConcerning Changes in Proteins and Nucleic Acids during Morphogenetic Processes.6. Chromosomal Proteins as Genetic Regulators.7. Induction and Repression of Genetic Loci During Differentiation.- Literature Cited.