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Related Concept Videos

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
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.
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.
Evolution of Microbial Genome01:08

Evolution of Microbial Genome

Microbial genome evolution is a highly dynamic process shaped by continual gene gain and loss across species and strains. This genomic flexibility allows microorganisms to adapt rapidly to environmental pressures and interactions with other organisms. Central to understanding this diversity is the distinction between the core and pan genomes.The core genome comprises the genes shared by all sampled strains of a species, representing essential functions needed for fundamental cellular processes.
Multi-species Conserved Sequences02:51

Multi-species Conserved Sequences

Next-generation sequencing technologies have created large genomic databases of a variety of animals and plants. Ever since the human genome project was completed, scientists studied the genome of primates, mammals, and other phylogenetically distant living beings. Such large-scale  studies have provided new insights into the evolutionary relationship between organisms.
Although the genome of each species varies greatly from each other, a few sequences are highly conserved. Such conserved DNA...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Embryo Microinjection and Electroporation in the Chordate Ciona intestinalis
09:38

Embryo Microinjection and Electroporation in the Chordate Ciona intestinalis

Published on: October 16, 2016

Developmental constraints on vertebrate genome evolution.

Julien Roux1, Marc Robinson-Rechavi

  • 1Université de Lausanne, Département d'Ecologie et d'Evolution, Quartier Sorge, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Plos Genetics
|December 20, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Embryonic development constraints bias evolution. Early developmental genes face higher constraints, limiting evolutionary innovation (gene gain/loss) in vertebrates, unlike morphological constraints.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Embryonic development constraints influence evolutionary trajectories.
  • Understanding genomic constraints is crucial for evolutionary insights.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize genomic constraints on evolution in vertebrates.
  • To investigate the relationship between gene expression timing and evolutionary flexibility.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed gene expression data from zebrafish (microarray) and mouse (EST counts) across multiple developmental stages.
  • Assessed gene knock-out/mutation effects and reversion to single copy after whole genome duplication.
  • Validated findings using diverse data sources for gene expression and mutation types.

Main Results:

  • Genes expressed early in vertebrate development exhibit higher constraints.
  • Early developmental genes have more severe knock-out/mutation effects and are more likely to revert to single copy post-duplication.
  • Genomic constraints decrease monotonically with developmental time, differing from the 'hourglass' model of morphological constraints.

Conclusions:

  • High constraints on early embryonic development limit evolutionary innovation (gene gain/loss) in vertebrates.
  • The pattern of genomic constraints differs from morphological constraints, which peak mid-development.
  • These findings provide a novel perspective on the interplay between development and genome evolution.