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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.
Gene Families01:57

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...
Gene Families01:57

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...
Exon Recombination02:32

Exon Recombination

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. 
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus
09:57

Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus

Published on: December 28, 2016

Evolution of homeobox genes.

Peter W H Holland1

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK. peter.holland@zoo.ox.ac.uk

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Developmental Biology
|June 27, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Homeobox genes are crucial for development across eukaryotes. Their diversification through gene duplication and expression changes has driven evolutionary complexity in animals and plants.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Evolutionary Genetics
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Homeobox genes are transcription factors vital for animal and plant development.
  • They are categorized into classes (e.g., ANTP, PRD) and families, with significant diversification in animals.
  • The ANTP class, including Hox genes, and the PRD class, including Pax genes, are key areas of study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary diversification of homeobox genes.
  • To understand the roles of different homeobox gene classes in development.
  • To examine the impact of genomic events and expression changes on evolutionary complexity.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of genomic data to understand gene clustering and duplication events.
  • Review of expression and functional data for various homeobox gene classes.

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Efficient Generation of Pancreas/Duodenum Homeobox Protein 1+ Posterior Foregut/Pancreatic Progenitors from hPSCs in Adhesion Cultures
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Efficient Generation of Pancreas/Duodenum Homeobox Protein 1+ Posterior Foregut/Pancreatic Progenitors from hPSCs in Adhesion Cultures

Published on: March 27, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus
09:57

Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus

Published on: December 28, 2016

Efficient Generation of Pancreas/Duodenum Homeobox Protein 1+ Posterior Foregut/Pancreatic Progenitors from hPSCs in Adhesion Cultures
08:32

Efficient Generation of Pancreas/Duodenum Homeobox Protein 1+ Posterior Foregut/Pancreatic Progenitors from hPSCs in Adhesion Cultures

Published on: March 27, 2019

  • Comparative analysis of homeobox gene evolution across different taxa.

    • Main Results:

    • The ANTP class diversified via tandem duplication, forming gene clusters like NK and ProtoHox, which further evolved into Hox and ParaHox genes.
    • NK, Hox, and ParaHox genes play distinct roles in patterning mesoderm, nervous system, and gut.
    • PRD genes, while less clustered, also expanded through duplication, contributing to developmental complexity.
    • Evolutionary changes in homeobox gene expression, such as altered Hox patterns and enhancer deletions, are documented.

    Conclusions:

    • Gene duplication and evolutionary changes in homeobox gene expression have significantly contributed to developmental complexity.
    • Understanding homeobox gene evolution provides insights into the fundamental mechanisms of development across diverse organisms.
    • Further research should consider both gene expansion and loss in evolutionary trajectories.