Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
04:52
Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
Published on: February 3, 2023
Constraints and plasticity in genome and molecular-phenome evolution
1National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20894, USA. koonin@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Nature Reviews. Genetics
|June 16, 2010
Summary
Evolutionary constraints impact viral, archaeal, bacterial, and eukaryotic genomes differently, while protein evolution is more universal. Integrating these diverse evolutionary processes is key to a new synthesis in evolutionary biology.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genomics
- Molecular evolution
Background:
- Genome evolution is shaped by diverse selective pressures across different life forms.
- Protein evolution appears to be influenced by more universal constraints compared to genomic constraints.
- Genome architecture, expression, and regulation exhibit plasticity and robustness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the varied constraints affecting genome evolution in different life forms.
- To investigate the universality of constraints on protein evolution.
- To understand the interplay between genomic constraints and genome plasticity for a new evolutionary synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomics analysis across diverse taxa (viral, archaeal, bacterial, eukaryotic).
- Analysis of selective pressures on different genomic regions.
- Examination of protein evolution patterns.
- Assessment of genome architecture, expression, and regulatory mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in selective pressures were observed across viral, archaeal, bacterial, and eukaryotic genomes.
- Protein evolution demonstrated more consistent constraint patterns across lineages.
- Genome plasticity and robustness were found to complement evolutionary constraints.
- Complex networks of evolutionary processes were identified.
Conclusions:
- Evolutionary constraints on genomes are lineage-specific, whereas protein evolution shows greater universality.
- The integration of diverse evolutionary processes, including constraints and plasticity, is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of life's evolution.
- These findings pave the way for a new synthesis in evolutionary biology by integrating genomic and molecular evolution perspectives.
More Related Videos
11:36An Integrated Workflow to Study the Promoter-Centric Spatio-Temporal Genome Architecture in Scarce Cell Populations
Published on: April 21, 2023
15:00Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
Published on: August 18, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:08Evolution of Microbial Genome
Microbial genome evolution is a highly dynamic process shaped by continual gene gain and loss across species and strains. This genomic flexibility allows microorganisms to adapt rapidly to environmental pressures and interactions with other organisms. Central to understanding this diversity is the distinction between the core and pan genomes.The core genome comprises the genes shared by all sampled strains of a species, representing essential functions needed for fundamental cellular processes.
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...
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...
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...
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.