Beyond the Genes... Non Canonical Action of Classical Neurotransmitters

The discovery of the DNA structure — the molecular matrix for genetic information — is one of the greatest in the last century. It gave hope to mankind that soon we would reveal the deepest secrets of development, understand the background of biological diversity, and find the way to overcome hereditary diseases. Indeed, many of these hopes met and even exceeded our expectations. However, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the activity of the genetic apparatus led to recognition of the complexity and ambiguousness of the functioning of the DNA-RNA-protein chain. If we return to the works of our great compatriot Nikolai Konstantinovich Koltsov, we’ll find out that many of his predictions and doubts, expressed on the basis of careful observations and deep analyzes, have received factual confirmation nowadays. Our studies on the role of serotonin, a classical signal mediator (neurotransmitter) between the cells of the nervous system, have shown that the expression of the genetic developmental program can be altered by both external factors and the internal state of the maternal organism. Serotonylation — posttranslational protein modification — occurs in embryonic pluripotent cells and represents an epigenetic mechanism that allows modification of developmental and behavioral programs in genetically related individuals. Our results add another regulatory mechanism to the chain of events that runs from the moment of gene activation to the realization of its effect at the organism level. In addition to other epigenetic mechanisms, the non-canonical action of neurotransmitters may introduce phenotypic diversity into the principle of “matrix information transfer” postulated by N.K.Koltsov and ensure adaptation of the organism to environmental conditions.

development, serotonin, posttranslational protein modification, adaptive regulation, development rates, behavioral programs