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Related Concept Videos

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.
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons02:54

Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons

Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes00:58

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes have large genomes compared to prokaryotes. To fit their genomes into a cell, eukaryotic DNA is packaged extraordinarily tightly inside the nucleus. To achieve this, DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, which are packaged into nucleosomes that are joined by linker DNA and coil into chromatin fibers. Additional fibrous proteins further compact the chromatin, which is recognizable as chromosomes during certain phases of cell division.
Evolution of Microbial Genome01:08

Evolution 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.
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...

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A Comparative Approach for Quantitative Cell Counting Studies in Widely Different Mammalian Brains
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Genome size evolution: sizing mammalian genomes.

C A Redi1, E Capanna

  • 1Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Lazzaro Spallanzani, Pavia, Italia. carloalberto.redi@unipv.it

Cytogenetic and Genome Research
|May 26, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Genome size (GS) variation in mammals, driven by transposable elements, offers insights into evolution. Mammalian GS data aids cyto-taxonomy, suggesting an ancestral GS and clade-specific patterns, though more data is needed for validation.

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics and Evolutionary Biology
  • Comparative Genomics
  • Mammalian Evolution

Background:

  • Genome size (GS) variation is a key evolutionary feature, not directly correlating with organismal complexity (C-value paradox).
  • Transposable elements (TEs) are major drivers of GS variation, offering molecular explanations for genomic changes (C-enigma).
  • Understanding genome composition and structure is crucial for deciphering GS evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate genome size evolution in mammals over approximately 180 million years.
  • To explore the utility of GS as a cyto-taxonomical marker across mammalian orders and superorders.
  • To propose a hypothetical ancestral mammalian GS and analyze TE-driven patterns in extant clades.

Main Methods:

  • Data-mining of genome size databases for mammalian species.
  • Comparative analysis of GS across major mammalian clades (Monotremata, Marsupialia, Afrotheria, Xenarthra, Laurasiatheria, Euarchontoglires).
  • Hypothetical ancestral GS estimation and comparison with extant clade averages.

Main Results:

  • Genome size serves as a useful cyto-taxonomical signature for higher taxonomic levels in mammals.
  • A hypothetical ancestral mammalian GS of 2.9-3.7 pg is proposed.
  • Distinct GS patterns observed across clades suggest differential TE invasion post-divergence, with Afrotheria and Xenarthra showing larger GS and Euarchontoglires and Laurasiatheria showing smaller GS.

Conclusions:

  • Mammalian GS variation is significantly influenced by transposable element dynamics.
  • GS data provides valuable phylogenetic and taxonomic insights at supra-familial levels.
  • Further comprehensive GS data collection across mammalian species is essential for robust evolutionary hypothesis validation.