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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.
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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. 
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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

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The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
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Updated: May 18, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Protein evolution: when two become three.

Pierre Stallforth1, Jon Clardy

  • 1Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02130, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|September 15, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Adaptive mutations in bacterial signaling pathways prevent harmful crosstalk. This study reveals how bacteria evolve to maintain signaling specificity, highlighting the role of selection in protein evolution.

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Last Updated: May 18, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Bacterial signaling pathways are crucial for cellular communication and regulation.
  • Protein evolution can be studied effectively in vivo using these pathways.
  • Crosstalk between signaling systems can lead to erroneous cellular responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary mechanisms governing bacterial signaling pathways.
  • To understand how mutations affect the specificity of phosphate-sensing systems in proteobacteria.
  • To determine whether adaptive or neutral mutations are responsible for resolving signaling crosstalk.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic dissection of the phosphate-sensing machinery in proteobacteria.
  • In vivo analysis of protein evolution.
  • Comparative analysis of mutation types (adaptive vs. neutral).

Main Results:

  • Adaptive mutations, rather than neutral ones, were found to disable deleterious crosstalk.
  • The study identified specific evolutionary strategies employed by bacteria to maintain signaling fidelity.
  • Evidence suggests strong selective pressure to prevent interference between related signaling systems.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial signaling systems evolve under adaptive pressure to ensure specificity.
  • Mutations disabling crosstalk are driven by selection, not random chance.
  • Understanding these evolutionary processes is key to comprehending bacterial adaptation and intercellular communication.