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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...
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...
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...
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.
Eukaryotic Evolution01:24

Eukaryotic Evolution

The endosymbiont theory is the most widely accepted theory of eukaryotic evolution; however, its progression is still somewhat debated. According to the nucleus-first hypothesis, the ancestral prokaryote first evolved a membrane to enclose DNA and form the nucleus. Conversely, the mitochondria-first hypothesis suggests that the nucleus was formed after endosymbiosis of mitochondria.
Contrary to the endosymbiont theory, the eukaryote-first hypothesis proposes that the simpler prokaryotic and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

A Bioinformatics Pipeline for Investigating Molecular Evolution and Gene Expression using RNA-seq
07:09

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Published on: May 28, 2021

FoxO gene family evolution in vertebrates.

Minghui Wang1, Xiangzhe Zhang, Hongbo Zhao

  • 1School of Agriculture and Biology, Department of Animal Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China. wangmh-1981@sjtu.edu.cn

BMC Evolutionary Biology
|September 8, 2009
PubMed
Summary

The Forkhead box, class O (FoxO) gene family evolved through duplications and purifying selection, with positive selection acting on specific FoxO6 sites. This evolutionary path explains their functional divergence.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Forkhead box, class O (FoxO) transcription factors are crucial in various physiological processes.
  • Mammalian FoxO proteins (FoxO1, FoxO3a, FoxO4, FoxO6) share high homology but exhibit unique functional roles.
  • Understanding the evolutionary pressures driving FoxO functional divergence is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary history and modes of selection acting on the FoxO gene family in vertebrates.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms behind the functional divergence of FoxO genes.

Main Methods:

  • Searched vertebrate genome and scaffold data for FoxO homologues.
  • Performed phylogenetic analysis to reconstruct evolutionary history.
  • Utilized rigorous statistical tests (dN/dS ratios, conservation analysis) to assess selection pressures.

Main Results:

  • Identified two gene duplications early in vertebrate FoxO evolution.
  • FoxO genes are predominantly under strong purifying selection.
  • Four specific sites in FoxO6 show evidence of positive Darwinian selection.

Conclusions:

  • The FoxO gene family evolved via duplication and subsequent purifying selection, with notable positive selection in FoxO6.
  • Functional divergence is attributed to relaxed purifying selection or positive selection acting on specific sites.
  • Gene duplication followed by selection is a key driver of FoxO functional differentiation.