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The_Sishen t1_iv4m03s wrote

Reply to comment by InstanceNoodle in How does the expression of DNA change during puberty? by spudfolio

What starts it all, how does the body suddenly kick this into motion?

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TwentyCharactersShor t1_iv4sgwd wrote

Great question, I've been asking it for years. The answer remains unknown.

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TikkiTakiTomtom t1_iv5xbqb wrote

Perhaps its an accumulation of certain constitutively produced enzymes and proteins to reach threshold over time?

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TwentyCharactersShor t1_iv5ycwv wrote

Probably, but like many things it seems very hard to identify the actual trigger proteins / enzymes or whatever. It's fascinating to study but depressing how little we know.

Incidentally, I think the initial cell fusion that kicks off the growth process is equally interesting. We know some but not all of the protein interactions.

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naturehattrick t1_iv5b2ep wrote

It's all kicked into motion as soon as the genetic material of the ovum and sperm come together, it's a cascade of events to develop the zygote into a fetus into a baby into a child into a mature adult to do it all over again. What kicks off any of it? Hormones and cell line development.

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