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Related Concept Videos

Gene Duplication and Divergence02:37

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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.
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...
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Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...
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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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Transposons make up a significant part of genomes of various organisms. Therefore, it is believed that transposition played a major evolutionary role in speciation by changing genome sizes and modifying gene expression patterns. For example, in bacteria, transposition can lead to conferring antibiotic resistance. Movement of transposable elements within the genetic pool of pathogenic bacteria can aid in transfer of antibiotic-resistant genetic elements. In eukaryotes, transposons can carry out...
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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.
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Updated: Nov 11, 2025

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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Inversion breakpoints and the evolution of supergenes.

Romain Villoutreix1, Diego Ayala2, Mathieu Joron1

  • 1CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France.

Molecular Ecology
|March 31, 2021
PubMed
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Chromosomal inversions maintain discrete traits through recombination suppression or adaptive mutations at breakpoints. Further research is needed to directly test these evolutionary hypotheses.

Keywords:
chromosomal inversiongenome evolutionlinkagemutationrecombination

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genetics
  • Population genetics

Background:

  • Discrete morphs are common in nature and often linked to chromosomal inversions.
  • Chromosomal inversions are hypothesized to maintain these morphs via recombination suppression or adaptive mutations at their breakpoints.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence for recombination suppression and breakpoint mutation hypotheses.
  • To highlight the need for direct testing of these hypotheses.
  • To explore the synergistic effects of these mechanisms on supergene evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and critical examination of existing evidence.
  • Analysis of hypotheses regarding chromosomal inversions and discrete morphs.
  • Discussion of implications for supergene evolution and phenotypic diversity.

Main Results:

  • Evidence for recombination suppression maintaining morphs is often indirect.
  • Evidence for adaptive breakpoint mutations is also largely indirect.
  • Breakpoint characterization at the sequence level remains incomplete in most systems.

Conclusions:

  • Direct tests are needed to confirm the roles of recombination suppression and breakpoint mutations.
  • These mechanisms can act in conjunction, influencing supergene dynamics.
  • Characterizing inversion breakpoints is crucial for understanding complex phenotypic forms.