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Related Concept Videos

Gene Duplication and Divergence02:37

Gene Duplication and Divergence

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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.
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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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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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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.
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Related Experiment Video

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Author Spotlight: Advances in Chemoreception – From Insect Odor Receptors to Non-Coding RNAs
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Multigene Family Evolution: Perspectives from Insect Chemoreceptors.

Richard Benton1

  • 1Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|September 29, 2015
PubMed
Summary

The insect chemoreceptor superfamily offers a powerful model for studying the evolution of multigene families. Its ancient origins and diverse functions provide insights into adaptation and signaling mechanisms.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genomics
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Multigene family evolution is a fundamental biological question.
  • Insect chemoreceptors, though primarily studied in neuroscience, have homologous genes across diverse taxa, suggesting ancient origins.
  • These receptors function as ligand-gated ion channels in both sensory and non-sensory roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose the insect chemoreceptor superfamily as a model system for evolutionary studies.
  • To highlight the potential for integrating structural, regulatory, and ecological investigations.
  • To leverage sequence divergence for understanding 3D structure, signaling, and adaptation.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomics analysis
  • Co-evolutionary studies
  • Functional studies of chemoreceptors
  • Ecological studies of selective pressures

Main Results:

  • Putative homologous genes for insect chemoreceptors are found in diverse animal and plant genomes.
  • Functional studies indicate chemoreceptors act as ligand-gated ion channels in various biological processes.
  • Sequence divergence within this superfamily can inform structural and functional predictions.

Conclusions:

  • The insect chemoreceptor superfamily is an excellent model for understanding multigene family evolution.
  • Integrating genomic, structural, and ecological data can reveal adaptive mechanisms.
  • This system offers experimentally accessible targets for studying the genetic basis of adaptation.