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DNA as a Genetic Template

DNA as a Genetic Template

Two structural features of the DNA molecule provide a basis for the mechanisms of heredity: the four nucleotide bases and its double-stranded nature. The Watson-Crick model of double-helical DNA structure, proposed in 1952, drew heavily upon the X-ray crystallography work of researchers Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins. Watson, Crick, and Wilkins jointly received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work in 1962. Franklin was, controversially, excluded from the prize for...

Exon Recombination

Exon Recombination

The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...

Lampbrush Chromosomes

Lampbrush Chromosomes

In 1882, Flemming observed lampbrush chromosomes (LBC) in salamander eggs. Later in 1892, Rückert observed LBCs in shark egg cells and coined the term "lampbrush chromosomes" because they looked like brushes used to clean kerosene lamps.
LBCs are made up of two pairs of conjugating homologous chromatids. Each chromatid consists of alternatively positioned regions of condensed-inactive chromatin and loosely placed-active side loops, which can be contracted and extended. The loops resemble the...

Gene Duplication and Divergence

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.

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

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.

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

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

Use of the TetON System to Study Molecular Mechanisms of Zebrafish Regeneration

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Published on: June 25, 2015

The tetraodon genome.

H Roest Crollius¹

¹Laboratoire Dynamique et Organisation des Génomes (Dyogen), CNRS UMR8541, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France.

Genome Dynamics

|August 30, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The Tetraodon fish has the smallest vertebrate genome, revealing unique features like high gene density and rapid evolution. Genome analysis confirmed a whole genome duplication event in teleost fish evolution.

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Area of Science:

Genomics
Comparative genomics
Evolutionary biology

Background:

Tetraodon, a small tropical fish, possesses the smallest known vertebrate genome.
This unique characteristic makes it a valuable model for genomic studies.
Previous research hinted at unusual genomic properties in Tetraodon.

Purpose of the Study:

To sequence and analyze the Tetraodon genome.
To compare the Tetraodon genome with other vertebrate genomes.
To identify key genomic features and evolutionary events.

Main Methods:

Genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.
Comparative genomic analysis with other vertebrate species.
Phylogenetic analysis of gene families.

Main Results:

Tetraodon genome exhibits extreme gene density and paucity of repetitive elements.
Evidence of rapid molecular evolution and remarkable chromosome stability was found.
Analysis of gene organization supported a whole genome duplication event in teleost ancestors.

Conclusions:

The Tetraodon genome provides insights into vertebrate genome evolution.
Confirmed a significant whole genome duplication event at the teleost lineage root.
Illuminated the structure of the ancestral teleost genome.