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Related Concept Videos

Pleiotropy01:33

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...
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.
Protein Families02:47

Protein Families

Protein families are groups of homologous proteins; that is, they have similarities in amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures. Protein families usually occur because of gene duplication, where an additional copy of a gene is inserted into the genome of an organism.   Mutations that change the amino acids but still allow the protein to be properly synthesized, will lead to new protein family members.   If these new proteins contain similar amino acids in key locations, protein...
Protein Families02:47

Protein Families

Protein families are groups of homologous proteins; that is, they have similarities in amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures. Protein families usually occur because of gene duplication, where an additional copy of a gene is inserted into the genome of an organism.   Mutations that change the amino acids but still allow the protein to be properly synthesized, will lead to new protein family members.   If these new proteins contain similar amino acids in key locations, protein...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

In Vivo Modeling of the Morbid Human Genome using Danio rerio
12:31

In Vivo Modeling of the Morbid Human Genome using Danio rerio

Published on: August 24, 2013

Genome factor and gene pleiotropy hypotheses in protein evolution.

Yanwu Zeng1, Xun Gu

  • 1School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.

Biology Direct
|May 26, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Gene pleiotropy, affecting multiple phenotypes, may significantly influence molecular evolution. This concept challenges existing theories on gene evolution and protein stability.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular evolution

Background:

  • Genomic correlations between sequence conservation, protein connectivity, gene essentiality, and gene expression are reshaping molecular evolution theories.
  • The translational selection hypothesis posits protein stability, to prevent misfolding toxicity, dictates protein evolution rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose gene pleiotropy as a key factor in molecular evolution.
  • To outline methods for investigating the role of gene pleiotropy in evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and theoretical discussion.
  • Exploration of potential experimental and computational approaches.

Main Results:

  • Identification of gene pleiotropy as a potentially crucial, yet underappreciated, factor in molecular evolution.

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  • Discussion of how pleiotropy can reconcile various genomic observations.

    • Conclusions:

    • Gene pleiotropy offers a new perspective to challenge and expand the classical framework of molecular evolution.
    • Further research is needed to empirically validate the proposed role of pleiotropy in shaping genomic evolution.