Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
08:51
Microinjection for Transgenesis and Genome Editing in Threespine Sticklebacks
Published on: May 13, 2016
Jumping genes and epigenetics: Towards new species
Rita Rebollo1, Béatrice Horard, Benjamin Hubert
1CNRS, UMR558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.
Gene
|January 28, 2010
Summary
Transposable elements (TEs) drive genome evolution and speciation by creating new gene networks and restructuring chromosomes. Relaxing epigenetic control over TEs can spur macroevolutionary changes in populations.
Area of Science:
- Genomics and Evolutionary Biology
- Epigenetics and Genome Dynamics
Background:
- Transposable elements (TEs) are key drivers of genome evolution, influencing gene regulation and chromosome structure.
- Host organisms typically employ epigenetic mechanisms to suppress TE activity, maintaining genome stability.
- Environmental stressors can disrupt epigenetic control, leading to TE mobilization and potential evolutionary innovation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of epigenetic control over transposable elements (TEs) in driving genome evolution.
- To explore the link between TE epigenetic variation in natural populations and macroevolutionary processes like speciation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of recent data correlating epigenetic changes in TEs with genome evolution across species and populations.
- Focus on understanding the impact of TE mobilization under relaxed epigenetic regulation.
Main Results:
- TE mobilization, triggered by disrupted epigenetic control, can facilitate rapid genome restructuring.
- Relaxed epigenetic suppression of TEs may provide novel genetic pathways for adaptation and speciation.
Conclusions:
- The epigenetic regulation of transposable elements is crucial for genome stability and evolutionary potential.
- Investigating TE epigenetic variation in natural populations is essential for understanding TE-driven genome evolution and macroevolutionary events.
Related Concept Videos
03:21Genome 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.
03:21Genome 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.
02:16Genetics of Speciation
Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.The genetics of speciation involves the different traits or isolating mechanisms preventing gene exchange, leading to reproductive isolation. Reproductive isolation can be due to reproductive barriers that have effects either before or after the formation of a zygote. Pre-zygotic mechanisms prevent fertilization from occurring, and post-zygotic mechanisms...
02:32Exon 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...
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
01:24Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
02:05Gene 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...
In contrast, regions which code...