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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...
Cis-regulatory Sequences02:02

Cis-regulatory Sequences

Cis-regulatory sequences are short fragments of non-coding DNA that are present on the same chromosomes as the genes that they regulate. These fragments serve as binding sites for transcriptional regulators, proteins that are responsible for controlling gene transcription and differential gene expression across cell types in eukaryotes. Cis-regulatory sequences can be close to the gene of interest or thousands of bases away in the DNA sequence; however, those sequences that are further away are...
The Ras Gene02:38

The Ras Gene

The Ras-gene-encoded proteins are regulators of signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, or cell survival. The Ras-gene family in humans constitutes three primary members—the HRas, NRas, and KRas. These genes code for four functionally distinct yet closely related proteins—the HRas, NRas, KRas4A, and KRas4B. The involvement of mutant Ras genes in human cancer was first discovered in 1982 and is among the most common causes of human tumorigenesis.
Ras is a superfamily...
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.
Bacterial RNA Polymerase00:43

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

Unlike eukaryotes, bacteria use a single RNA Polymerase (RNAP) to transcribe all genes. The different subunits of bacterial RNAPhave distinct functions. The multisubunit structure of the bacterial RNAP helps the enzyme to maintain catalytic function, facilitate assembly, interact with DNA and RNA, and self-regulate its activity.
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

A Bioinformatics Pipeline for Investigating Molecular Evolution and Gene Expression using RNA-seq
07:09

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Positive selection on the gene RNASEL: correlation between patterns of evolution and function.

Wei Jin1, Dong-Dong Wu, Xin Zhang

  • 1Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resource, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.

Molecular Biology and Evolution
|April 20, 2012
PubMed
Summary

The RNASEL gene, crucial for antiviral defense, shows positive selection in primates and humans. Variants like 541D are linked to lower prostate cancer risk, suggesting a role in pathogen defense and cancer development.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genetics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • RNASEL is a key enzyme in the interferon-induced 2-5A system, mediating antiviral and apoptotic responses.
  • Human RNASEL gene polymorphisms are linked to increased prostate cancer risk.
  • The RNASEL gene's role in pathogen defense and cancer warrants evolutionary investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary history of the RNASEL gene across primate species.
  • To examine the association between RNASEL gene variation in human populations and prostate cancer incidence.
  • To understand the functional implications of RNASEL evolution in disease association.

Main Methods:

  • Sequencing of RNASEL coding regions from 11 primate species.
  • Resequencing of RNASEL alleles in 144 individuals from four diverse human populations.
  • Analysis of genetic variation, positive selection signatures, and allele frequency associations with prostate cancer rates.

Main Results:

  • Evidence of positive selection on RNASEL's endoribonuclease and ankyrin repeat domains in primates.
  • The 541D allele of RNASEL is negatively associated with prostate cancer incidence globally.
  • Haplotypes containing the 541D polymorphism exhibit signatures of positive selection in human populations.

Conclusions:

  • The RNASEL gene has undergone positive selection, likely driven by its role in pathogen defense.
  • RNASEL variants, particularly those with the 541D haplotype, may enhance viral defense capabilities.
  • Alterations in RNASEL's pathogen defense function could be associated with prostate cancer development.