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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...
Cis-regulatory Sequences02:02

Cis-regulatory Sequences

Cis-regulatory sequences are short fragments of non-coding DNA that are present on the same chromosomes as the genes that they regulate. These fragments serve as binding sites for transcriptional regulators, proteins that are responsible for controlling gene transcription and differential gene expression across cell types in eukaryotes. Cis-regulatory sequences can be close to the gene of interest or thousands of bases away in the DNA sequence; however, those sequences that are further away are...
Cis-regulatory Sequences02:02

Cis-regulatory Sequences

Cis-regulatory sequences are short fragments of non-coding DNA that are present on the same chromosomes as the genes that they regulate. These fragments serve as binding sites for transcriptional regulators, proteins that are responsible for controlling gene transcription and differential gene expression across cell types in eukaryotes. Cis-regulatory sequences can be close to the gene of interest or thousands of bases away in the DNA sequence; however, those sequences that are further away are...
Types of Selection01:46

Types of Selection

Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...

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Quantitative Comparison of cis-Regulatory Element (CRE) Activities in Transgenic Drosophila melanogaster
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Evolutionary selection between alternative modes of gene regulation.

Ulrich Gerland1, Terence Hwa

  • 1Institute for Theoretical Physics, Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics, Theresienstrasse 37, 80333 Munich, Germany. gerland@lmu.de

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|May 28, 2009
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Summary

Microbial gene regulation strategies evolve based on environmental demands. This study quantitatively models evolutionary forces, supporting the "use-it-or-lose-it" principle in certain conditions and a "wear-and-tear" principle in others.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Microbial genetics
  • Systems biology

Background:

  • Microorganisms utilize diverse gene regulatory mechanisms to adapt to environmental changes.
  • Savageau's "use-it-or-lose-it" principle posits that gene regulation modes correlate with gene product demand.
  • The evolutionary selection pressures on different gene regulation strategies remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantitatively analyze the evolutionary forces governing two opposing gene regulation modes.
  • To investigate the impact of time-dependent selection, genetic drift, and mutation on regulatory strategy evolution.
  • To test Savageau's "use-it-or-lose-it" principle under varying environmental and population dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Development of an evolutionary model incorporating genetic drift, mutation, and time-dependent selection.
  • Analysis of periods of strong selection alternating with neutral evolution.
  • Application of diverse analytical methods to assess fitness advantages of regulatory modes.

Main Results:

  • Identified effective population size and environmental variation timescale as critical parameters.
  • Demonstrated that small populations with long environmental variation timescales favor the "use-it-or-lose-it" principle.
  • Showed that the opposite conditions support a complementary "wear-and-tear" principle.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides quantitative support for evolutionary principles governing microbial gene regulation.
  • Environmental variability and population size are key determinants of optimal regulatory strategy.
  • Findings elucidate the adaptive evolution of gene regulation in response to ecological pressures.