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Gene Duplication and Divergence

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.

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

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?

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 Families

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...

Genome Copying Errors

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.

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Accelerated evolution after gene duplication: a time-dependent process affecting just one copy.

Cinta Pegueroles¹, Steve Laurie, M Mar Albà

¹Evolutionary Genomics Group, Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.

Molecular Biology and Evolution

|April 30, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Gene duplication drives genome evolution, with one copy often accelerating its evolutionary rate due to positive selection. This rate returns to normal within 40.5 million years, supporting neofunctionalization.

Keywords:

adaptive evolution evolutionary rate gene duplication gene expression indels positive selection

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Published on: December 10, 2012

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Genomics
Molecular evolution

Background:

Gene duplication is a key driver of genome evolution, creating redundant gene copies.
The evolutionary trajectories and driving forces behind gene duplicate evolution remain incompletely understood.
Gene duplicates often exhibit accelerated evolutionary rates, but the roles of positive selection versus genetic drift are debated.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the evolutionary mechanisms and rates of divergence in rodent gene duplicates.
To determine the contribution of positive selection to the evolution of gene copies after duplication.
To understand the timescale of evolutionary rate changes and the role of neofunctionalization.

Main Methods:

Comparative genomic analysis of rodent genes duplicated before and after the mouse-rat split.
Analysis of sequence divergence and evolutionary rates (nonsynonymous/synonymous substitutions).
Application of maximum likelihood-based branch-site tests to detect positive selection.
Comparison of gene expression patterns between duplicate copies.

Main Results:

One daughter copy of duplicated genes shows significantly increased sequence divergence post-duplication.
The evolutionary rate of the accelerated copy is, on average, 5-fold higher in the 4-12 million years post-duplication.
Positive selection contributes to this rate acceleration, with rates returning to pre-duplication levels by 40.5 million years.
Tissue expression patterns of duplicates parallel substitution rate changes, supporting neofunctionalization.

Conclusions:

Gene duplication leads to accelerated evolution in one copy, primarily driven by positive selection.
Neofunctionalization is a significant factor in the evolution of young gene duplicates.
Evolutionary rates of gene duplicates normalize within approximately 40.5 million years, demonstrating a defined evolutionary trajectory.