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The complex relationship of gene duplication and essentiality
Takashi Makino1, Karsten Hokamp, Aoife McLysaght
1Smurfit Institute of Genetics, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Trends in Genetics : TIG
|March 17, 2009
Summary
Gene duplication in multicellular organisms is complex. Developmental genes and those from whole genome duplication are more essential than other duplicated genes, unlike in simpler organisms.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- In yeast and worms, duplicate genes often overlap in function, making single gene deletion less critical.
- Previous studies indicated mouse duplicate genes were as essential as singleton genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the complex relationship between gene duplication and gene essentiality in multicellular organisms.
- To identify specific types of duplicate genes that exhibit higher essentiality.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of gene essentiality across different species.
- Examination of gene duplication events, including whole genome duplication.
- Focus on developmental genes and their essentiality.
Main Results:
- The essentiality of duplicate genes in multicellular organisms is not uniform.
- Developmental genes that are duplicated show higher essentiality.
- Genes duplicated through whole genome duplication events are also more essential.
Conclusions:
- Gene duplication's impact on essentiality varies significantly in multicellular life.
- Developmental roles and duplication mechanisms (e.g., whole genome duplication) are key factors influencing gene essentiality.
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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.
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...
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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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