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Guo YW, Liu Y, Huang PC, Rong M, Wei W, Xu YH, Wei JH. Adaptive Changes and Genetic Mechanisms in Organisms Under Controlled Conditions: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:2130. [PMID: 40076752 PMCID: PMC11900562 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26052130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2025] [Revised: 02/25/2025] [Accepted: 02/26/2025] [Indexed: 03/14/2025] Open
Abstract
Adaptive changes encompass physiological, morphological, or behavioral modifications occurring in organisms in response to specific environmental conditions. These modifications may become established within a population through natural selection. While adaptive changes can influence individuals or populations over short timeframes, evolution involves the inheritance and accumulation of these changes over extended periods under environmental pressures through natural selection. At present, addressing climate change, emerging infectious diseases, and food security are the main challenges faced by scientists. A comprehensive and profound understanding of the mechanisms of adaptive evolution is of great significance for solving these problems. The genetic basis of these adaptations can be examined through classical genetics, which includes stochastic gene mutations and chromosomal instability, as well as epigenetics, which involves DNA methylation and histone modifications. These mechanisms not only govern the rate and magnitude of adaptive changes but also affect the transmission of adaptive traits to subsequent generations. In the study of adaptive changes under controlled conditions, short-term controlled experiments are commonly utilized in microbial and animal research to investigate long-term evolutionary trends. However, the application of this approach in plant research remains limited. This review systematically compiles the findings on adaptive changes and their genetic foundations in organisms within controlled environments. It aims to provide valuable insights into fundamental evolutionary processes, offering novel theoretical frameworks and research methodologies for future experimental designs, particularly in the field of plant studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Wei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education & National Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Endangered Medicinal Materials, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.-W.G.); (Y.L.); (P.-C.H.); (M.R.); (W.W.)
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education & National Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Endangered Medicinal Materials, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.-W.G.); (Y.L.); (P.-C.H.); (M.R.); (W.W.)
| | - Peng-Cheng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education & National Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Endangered Medicinal Materials, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.-W.G.); (Y.L.); (P.-C.H.); (M.R.); (W.W.)
| | - Mei Rong
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education & National Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Endangered Medicinal Materials, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.-W.G.); (Y.L.); (P.-C.H.); (M.R.); (W.W.)
| | - Wei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education & National Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Endangered Medicinal Materials, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.-W.G.); (Y.L.); (P.-C.H.); (M.R.); (W.W.)
| | - Yan-Hong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education & National Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Endangered Medicinal Materials, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.-W.G.); (Y.L.); (P.-C.H.); (M.R.); (W.W.)
| | - Jian-He Wei
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education & National Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Endangered Medicinal Materials, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.-W.G.); (Y.L.); (P.-C.H.); (M.R.); (W.W.)
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources Conservation and Development of Southern Medicine & Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Agarwood Sustainable Utilization, Hainan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Haikou 570311, China
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