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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 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.
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...
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome 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.
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome 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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

G2-seq: A High Throughput Sequencing-based Technique for Identifying Late Replicating Regions of the Genome
06:40

G2-seq: A High Throughput Sequencing-based Technique for Identifying Late Replicating Regions of the Genome

Published on: March 22, 2018

Noncoding sequences near duplicated genes evolve rapidly.

Dennis Kostka1, Matthew W Hahn, Katherine S Pollard

  • 1Gladstone Institute for Cardiovascular Disease, Gladstone Institutes, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. dennis.kostka@gladstone.ucsf.edu

Genome Biology and Evolution
|July 28, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Gene duplication accelerates regulatory sequence evolution, driving human adaptation. Rapidly evolving duplicated genes, particularly those involved in pregnancy, highlight their role in human evolution.

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Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

G2-seq: A High Throughput Sequencing-based Technique for Identifying Late Replicating Regions of the Genome
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Published on: March 22, 2018

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Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Location(s) for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach
11:12

Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Location(s) for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach

Published on: September 11, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Phenotypic differences between species arise from gene expression divergence and chromosomal rearrangements.
  • Duplicated genes exhibit faster positive selection in amino acid sequences.
  • Rapid evolution of regulatory sequences in duplicated genes is hypothesized if functional divergence stems from gene expression changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the hypothesis that regulatory sequences in duplicated genes evolve rapidly.
  • Identify sequences with increased substitution rates in the human lineage near duplicated genes.
  • Examine the impact of accelerated evolution on transcription factor binding sites in duplicated loci.

Main Methods:

  • Performed likelihood ratio tests (LRTs) on noncoding loci near human transcripts.
  • Identified sequences with accelerated substitution rates in the human lineage.
  • Conducted a genome-wide scan for nucleotide substitutions affecting transcription factor binding sites.

Main Results:

  • A higher fraction of rapidly evolving loci was found near genes duplicated in the human-chimp common ancestor compared to non-duplicated genes.
  • Elevated rates of binding site divergence were observed in noncoding sequences of duplicated loci with accelerated substitution rates.
  • Accelerated evolution was enriched near genes involved in pregnancy, a process differing between humans and monkeys.

Conclusions:

  • Adaptive evolution of duplicated gene regulation significantly contributes to human evolution.
  • Rapid regulatory evolution in duplicated genes supports their role in species adaptation.
  • Findings align with previous studies on positive selection of amino acid sequences in duplicated genes.