Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
09:57
Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus
Published on: December 28, 2016
Duplication events and the evolution of segmental identity
I Hurley1, M E Hale, V E Prince
1Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, 1027 E 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Evolution & Development
|December 13, 2005
Summary
Gene, genome, and morphological duplications in teleost fishes provide functional redundancy, enabling evolutionary innovation. This study explores how these duplication events fuel evolutionary change and teleost radiation.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Gene, genome, and morphological duplications are hypothesized to drive evolutionary change.
- Teleost fishes represent a diverse group where duplication events may have played a significant role in their radiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the evolutionary potential of gene, genome, and morphological duplications in teleost fishes.
- To investigate the role of whole-genome duplication in the radiation of ray-finned fishes.
- To explore the functional fates of duplicated genes, using teleost Hox genes as a model.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data on whole-genome duplication in ray-finned fishes.
- Theoretical and experimental analysis of duplicated gene fates, focusing on teleost Hox genes.
- Experimental studies on hindbrain morphology and neural circuit duplication in teleosts.
Main Results:
- Confirmation of a whole-genome duplication event in the ray-finned fish lineage.
- Teleost Hox gene duplications provide insights into functional divergence and conservation.
- Experimentally induced duplicated neurons in the hindbrain can form functionally redundant circuits.
Conclusions:
- Duplicated material, regardless of type, can create functional redundancy.
- Functional redundancy is a key enabler of evolutionary change.
- Duplication events, including whole-genome duplication, likely contributed to the diversification of teleost fishes.
Related Concept Videos
01:57Gene Families
Gene families consist of groups of genes proposed to have originated from a common ancestor. Typically these arise through events in which a gene or genes are mistakenly duplicated during cell division. Unlike their parent genes (which are subject to selection pressure to maintain function), these gene copies do not need to preserve their sequences and may evolve at a relatively faster rate.
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
02:04Polytene Chromosomes
Polytene chromosomes are giant interphase chromosomes with several DNA strands placed side by side. They were discovered in the year 1881 by Balbiani in salivary glands, intestine, muscles, malpighian tubules, and hypoderm of larvae Chironomus plumosus. Hence, these are also called "Salivary gland chromosomes." These are found in insects of the order Diptera and Collembola; in certain organs of mammals; and synergids, antipodes of flowering plants. Polytene chromosomes are also regularly...
02:37Gene Duplication and Divergence
The seminal work of Ohno in 1970 popularized the idea of gene duplication and divergence. DNA sequence comparison studies reveal that a large portion of the genes in bacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes was generated by gene duplication and divergence, indicating its critical role in evolution.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
02:25Centrosome Duplication
The primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in animal cells is the centrosome. A centrosome has two cylindrical centrioles at its core. Each centriole consists of nine sets of three microtubules held together by proteins. The centrioles are positioned at right angles to each other and surrounded by a shapeless protein cloud called the pericentriolar matrix, or pericentriolar material (PCM).
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
02:05Chromosome Duplication
The process of chromosome duplication during cell division requires genome-wide disruption and re-assembly of chromatin. The chromatin structure must be accurately inherited, reassembled, and maintained in the daughter cells to ensure lineage propagation.
The basic unit of the chromatin is the nucleosome, consisting of DNA wrapped around octameric histone proteins and short stretches of linker DNA separating individual nucleosomes. The histone proteins within the nucleosome have their...
The basic unit of the chromatin is the nucleosome, consisting of DNA wrapped around octameric histone proteins and short stretches of linker DNA separating individual nucleosomes. The histone proteins within the nucleosome have their...
02:25Centrosome Duplication
The primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in animal cells is the centrosome. A centrosome has two cylindrical centrioles at its core. Each centriole consists of nine sets of three microtubules held together by proteins. The centrioles are positioned at right angles to each other and surrounded by a shapeless protein cloud called the pericentriolar matrix, or pericentriolar material (PCM).
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...