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Related Concept Videos

Viral Mutations00:36

Viral Mutations

A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...
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.
Genome Copying Errors02:46

Genome Copying Errors

DNA replication is a well-evolved process that copies millions of base pairs with high fidelity during each cell division. Occasionally a wrong base or a long stretch of wrong bases may get added to the daughter strands. If the errors are left unchecked, cells might accumulate several mutations that might endanger their  survival. Therefore, the copying errors are checked and repaired at three levels.
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...
Translesion DNA Polymerases02:10

Translesion DNA Polymerases

Translesion (TLS) polymerases rescue stalled DNA polymerases at sites of damaged bases by replacing the replicative polymerase and installing a nucleotide across the damaged site. Doing so, TLS allows additional time for the cell to repair the damage before resuming regular DNA replication.
TLS polymerases are found in all three domains of life - archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Of the different classes of TLS polymerases, members of the Y family are fitted with specialized structures that...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Direct Restart of a Replication Fork Stalled by a Head-On RNA Polymerase
07:27

Direct Restart of a Replication Fork Stalled by a Head-On RNA Polymerase

Published on: April 29, 2010

Accelerated gene evolution through replication-transcription conflicts.

Sandip Paul1, Samuel Million-Weaver, Sujay Chattopadhyay

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.

Nature
|March 30, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacterial genes on the lagging strand experience higher mutation rates, particularly in amino-acid-changing mutations. This orientation promotes faster adaptive evolution by increasing mutagenesis through replication-transcription conflicts.

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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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 12, 2026

Direct Restart of a Replication Fork Stalled by a Head-On RNA Polymerase
07:27

Direct Restart of a Replication Fork Stalled by a Head-On RNA Polymerase

Published on: April 29, 2010

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

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mechanisms for genome-wide mutagenesis are known, but gene-specific evolution promotion is unclear.
  • Bacterial genes are typically on the leading strand to avoid replication-transcription conflicts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate how evolution is promoted in individual bacterial genes.
  • Determine the mutation rates and selection pressures on genes located on leading vs. lagging strands.

Main Methods:

  • Identified core genes in Bacillus subtilis.
  • Compared mutation rates in genes on leading and lagging strands.
  • Analyzed mutation types (synonymous vs. nonsynonymous) and selection pressures.
  • Used reversion assays to assess transcription-dependent mutagenesis.

Main Results:

  • 17% of core Bacillus subtilis genes are on the lagging strand.
  • Lagging strand genes show higher point mutation rates, mainly nonsynonymous.
  • Genes under positive selection are more common on the lagging strand (head-on orientation).
  • Increased gene length and expression correlate with higher mutation rates in head-on genes.

Conclusions:

  • Head-on replication-transcription conflicts increase mutagenesis compared to co-directional conflicts.
  • Orientation-dependent replication-transcription encounters drive adaptive protein variation.
  • Bacteria may use gene orientation to modulate the rate of adaptive evolution.