The asymmetrical genetic determination of laterality: flatfish, frogs and human handedness.

The determination of the left-right body axis is unlike that of the two other axes because left-right positional information is not required to specify mirror-image structures on the two sides. When the left and right sides of the body are not mirror symmetrical such positional information is required, as is a mechanism for reading that information. There are several possible gradient schemes for left-right information, including symmetrical gradients from which the information is extracted by spatial differentiation. The genetic mechanisms for the control of handedness are not known. There is no evidence for 'left-handed' and 'right-handed' genes, only for mutations that can interfere with handedness in a non-specific manner. Such mutations never produce situs inversus with a frequency greater than 50%. The situs of individual organs shows a strong correlation, suggesting a global mechanism such as a gradient of left-right positional information. Many asymmetries in vertebrates follow a pattern in which growth on the left is favoured over growth on the right. This may be related to the 'dexiothetism' of chordate ancestors postulated by Jefferies.

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