CoralBandit
Well-Known Member
This is just my thoughts no real scientific data to this.......
Although it is termed as an infection of GFP I believe its more of a transfection of the GFP gene IMO. This is a different phenomenon experienced with new growth seen in the watermelon chalices for example. The reason for my argument to this whole thing is b/c the parts of the coral that are green grow and multiply and stay green suggesting that a gene is actively being transcribed/translated and passed on to daughter clones (replicated). If it was an "infection" the gene would not be passed on to daughter cells, unless it was a viral infection and spreads.... which its not. The way in which it could happen is corals that are green are actively transcribing GFP so the gene is active constantly and exposed to the nuclear miliue. If a cell is damaged and its contents expelled the DNA could be cleaved in such a way that it is then taken up by another cell (the red monti) and integrates into the hosts genome. This is a long shot in terms of mammals or any creature but we dont know much about these animals and how they can morph so readily so I do believe it is possible with corals. Its a routine procedure for bacteria and they "morph" way more than corals do.
Although it is termed as an infection of GFP I believe its more of a transfection of the GFP gene IMO. This is a different phenomenon experienced with new growth seen in the watermelon chalices for example. The reason for my argument to this whole thing is b/c the parts of the coral that are green grow and multiply and stay green suggesting that a gene is actively being transcribed/translated and passed on to daughter clones (replicated). If it was an "infection" the gene would not be passed on to daughter cells, unless it was a viral infection and spreads.... which its not. The way in which it could happen is corals that are green are actively transcribing GFP so the gene is active constantly and exposed to the nuclear miliue. If a cell is damaged and its contents expelled the DNA could be cleaved in such a way that it is then taken up by another cell (the red monti) and integrates into the hosts genome. This is a long shot in terms of mammals or any creature but we dont know much about these animals and how they can morph so readily so I do believe it is possible with corals. Its a routine procedure for bacteria and they "morph" way more than corals do.
