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Related Concept Videos

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.
Organization of Genes02:07

Organization of Genes

Overview
Exon Recombination02:32

Exon 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...
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...
Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...
RNA Splicing01:32

RNA Splicing

Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

In vivo Application of the REMOTE-control System for the Manipulation of Endogenous Gene Expression
08:54

In vivo Application of the REMOTE-control System for the Manipulation of Endogenous Gene Expression

Published on: March 29, 2019

A segmental genomic duplication generates a functional intron.

Uffe Hellsten1, Julie L Aspden, Donald C Rio

  • 1DOE Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California 94598, USA. UHellsten@lbl.gov

Nature Communications
|September 1, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

New introns can form in a single step via segmental genomic duplication, not gradual evolution. This study demonstrates de novo intron creation, mimicking ancient vertebrate intron emergence.

More Related Videos

Subcloning Plus Insertion (SPI) - A Novel Recombineering Method for the Rapid Construction of Gene Targeting Vectors
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Subcloning Plus Insertion (SPI) - A Novel Recombineering Method for the Rapid Construction of Gene Targeting Vectors

Published on: January 8, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

In vivo Application of the REMOTE-control System for the Manipulation of Endogenous Gene Expression
08:54

In vivo Application of the REMOTE-control System for the Manipulation of Endogenous Gene Expression

Published on: March 29, 2019

Subcloning Plus Insertion (SPI) - A Novel Recombineering Method for the Rapid Construction of Gene Targeting Vectors
09:02

Subcloning Plus Insertion (SPI) - A Novel Recombineering Method for the Rapid Construction of Gene Targeting Vectors

Published on: January 8, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Introns are essential genomic elements requiring multiple specific sequence elements for function.
  • The dispersed nature of these elements makes de novo intron formation through incremental changes unlikely.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential for de novo intron formation through a single genomic event.
  • To experimentally model the ancient emergence of introns in jawed vertebrates.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing segmental genomic duplication in a model system to create a new intron.
  • In vivo experimental validation of intron creation and function.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated the successful de novo creation of a functional intron in a single step via segmental genomic duplication.
  • The experimental model recapitulated the likely mechanism for intron birth in early vertebrate evolution.

Conclusions:

  • Segmental genomic duplication is a viable mechanism for the rapid, de novo formation of functional introns.
  • This finding provides a plausible explanation for the origin of introns in the ancestral jawed vertebrate lineage.