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Related Concept Videos

Gene Duplication and Divergence02:37

Gene 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.
Gene Families01:57

Gene 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...
Genome Copying Errors02:46

Genome Copying Errors

DNA replication is a well-evolved process that copies millions of base pairs with high fidelity during each cell division. Occasionally a wrong base or a long stretch of wrong bases may get added to the daughter strands. If the errors are left unchecked, cells might accumulate several mutations that might endanger their  survival. Therefore, the copying errors are checked and repaired at three levels.
Gene Conversion02:08

Gene Conversion

Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...
Gene Conversion02:08

Gene Conversion

Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

The Green Monster Process for the Generation of Yeast Strains Carrying Multiple Gene Deletions
13:06

The Green Monster Process for the Generation of Yeast Strains Carrying Multiple Gene Deletions

Published on: December 15, 2012

Gene dosage and gene duplicability.

Wenfeng Qian1, Jianzhi Zhang

  • 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.

Genetics
|August 12, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Gene duplication fixation is not primarily driven by positive selection for increased gene dosage. Haploinsufficient genes do not duplicate more frequently than haplosufficient genes, challenging the gene dosage hypothesis.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • The evolutionary mechanisms driving gene duplication fixation remain unclear.
  • The gene dosage hypothesis suggests positive selection for increased gene dosage (number of gene copies) drives fixation.
  • Previous studies incorrectly linked dominant mutations to haploinsufficiency, potentially biasing findings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether haploinsufficient genes duplicate more frequently than haplosufficient genes.
  • To re-evaluate the role of positive selection for gene dosage in the fixation of duplicated genes.
  • To explore the influence of protein complex membership on gene retention after duplication.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of gene duplication rates in humans and yeast.
  • Distinguishing between haploinsufficient and haplosufficient genes.
  • Examining gene retention after whole-genome duplication events in yeast.
  • Assessing the role of protein complex membership in gene retention.

Main Results:

  • Haploinsufficient genes do not duplicate more frequently than haplosufficient genes in humans and yeast.
  • Yeast haploinsufficient genes involved in stable protein complexes show enhanced retention after whole-genome duplication.
  • This enhanced retention is absent for haploinsufficient genes not encoding protein complex members.
  • Findings suggest dosage balance, not increased gene dosage, underlies this phenomenon.

Conclusions:

  • Selection for increased gene dosage is not a major driver for the fixation of duplicated genes.
  • Dosage balance, particularly for genes in protein complexes, plays a significant role in gene retention after duplication.
  • The gene dosage hypothesis, as previously formulated, is not supported by this evidence.