Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors01:31

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors

1.7K
Nuclear receptors, or NRs, are unique transcription factors that regulate gene transcription and affect the cellular pathways involved in reproduction, development, or metabolism. Their ability to be stimulated by small lipophilic ligands and control vital cellular processes makes them ideal drug targets. Nearly 10-15% of currently prescribed drugs target these receptors.
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
1.7K
Gene Families01:57

Gene Families

9.2K
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...
9.2K
Hormones of the Adrenal Glands01:31

Hormones of the Adrenal Glands

2.9K
Adrenal hormones play a pivotal role in maintaining the body's electrolyte balance and orchestrating responses to stress, showcasing the intricate functions of the adrenal cortex and medulla.
The adrenal cortex, a powerhouse of hormone synthesis, generates over two dozen corticosteroid hormones. The zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, exemplified by aldosterone, influencing the electrolyte composition of body fluids. The synthesis of glucocorticoids such as cortisol and...
2.9K
Exon Recombination02:32

Exon Recombination

3.7K
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...
3.7K
Gonadal and Placental Hormones01:24

Gonadal and Placental Hormones

1.8K
The gonads, namely the testes in males and the ovaries in females, are pivotal in producing gonadal hormones that orchestrate the intricate processes of sexual development and reproduction.
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair...
1.8K
Target Cell Response to Hormones01:22

Target Cell Response to Hormones

3.6K
Hormones intricately bind to receptors on the surface or within target cells, initiating a cascade of cellular responses.
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
3.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Opposing behavioral roles for a single gene in a species with a supergene polymorphism.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Massive Genomic and Transcriptomic Changes Within a Young Inversion Polymorphism in the Absence of Degeneration.

Molecular ecology·2026
Same author

The "sex-specific effect:" Evaluating analytical approaches to sex-dependence in the behavioral and brain sciences.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

A single gene orchestrates androgen variation underlying male mating morphs in ruffs.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2025
Same author

Training in the implementation of sex and gender research policies: an evaluation of publicly available online courses.

Biology of sex differences·2024
Same author

Best practices to promote rigor and reproducibility in the era of sex-inclusive research.

eLife·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Protocols for Visualizing Steroidogenic Organs and Their Interactive Organs with Immunostaining in the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster
12:10

Protocols for Visualizing Steroidogenic Organs and Their Interactive Organs with Immunostaining in the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: April 14, 2017

10.5K

Supergenes on steroids.

Donna L Maney1, Clemens Küpper2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
|May 31, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Supergenes, like those in sparrows and ruffs, reorganize genomes, causing distinct phenotypes and social behaviors. These changes are linked to steroid hormone pathways, driving evolutionary adaptation.

Keywords:
aggressionalternative reproductive tacticsandrogenestrogeninversion polymorphismlife-history strategy

More Related Videos

Reverse Yeast Two-hybrid System to Identify Mammalian Nuclear Receptor Residues that Interact with Ligands and/or Antagonists
10:51

Reverse Yeast Two-hybrid System to Identify Mammalian Nuclear Receptor Residues that Interact with Ligands and/or Antagonists

Published on: November 15, 2013

12.9K
Biochemical Reconstitution of Steroid Receptor•Hsp90 Protein Complexes and Reactivation of Ligand Binding
11:07

Biochemical Reconstitution of Steroid Receptor•Hsp90 Protein Complexes and Reactivation of Ligand Binding

Published on: September 21, 2011

16.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Protocols for Visualizing Steroidogenic Organs and Their Interactive Organs with Immunostaining in the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster
12:10

Protocols for Visualizing Steroidogenic Organs and Their Interactive Organs with Immunostaining in the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: April 14, 2017

10.5K
Reverse Yeast Two-hybrid System to Identify Mammalian Nuclear Receptor Residues that Interact with Ligands and/or Antagonists
10:51

Reverse Yeast Two-hybrid System to Identify Mammalian Nuclear Receptor Residues that Interact with Ligands and/or Antagonists

Published on: November 15, 2013

12.9K
Biochemical Reconstitution of Steroid Receptor•Hsp90 Protein Complexes and Reactivation of Ligand Binding
11:07

Biochemical Reconstitution of Steroid Receptor•Hsp90 Protein Complexes and Reactivation of Ligand Binding

Published on: September 21, 2011

16.6K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary genetics
  • Genomics
  • Animal behavior

Background:

  • Supergenes, characterized by suppressed recombination, drive significant phenotypic and behavioral divergence.
  • Inversion polymorphisms in white-throated sparrows and ruffs exemplify supergene evolution, influencing plumage and social traits.
  • Despite distinct genetic underpinnings, both systems show links to steroid hormone pathway alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interplay between genomic architecture, specifically inversions, and steroid-related genes.
  • To understand how these interactions contribute to phenotypic differentiation and evolution of social behaviors.
  • To explore the role of steroid hormone pathways in adaptation and speciation.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomic analysis of supergene regions in white-throated sparrows and ruffs.
  • Examination of gene regulation and expression patterns related to steroid hormone pathways.
  • Literature review on the functional roles of steroid-related genes in social behavior and development.

Main Results:

  • Genomic reorganization via inversions is a key mechanism for creating supergenes.
  • Alterations in steroid hormone pathways are consistently associated with alternative phenotypes in both species.
  • Linkage of steroid-related genes within or near inversions likely facilitates rapid adaptation.

Conclusions:

  • Inversion-mediated genomic rearrangements and changes in steroid hormone gene regulation are central to phenotypic differentiation.
  • These processes have profound implications for individual fitness, life-history strategies, and the evolution of social behavior.
  • The study highlights a conserved mechanism across species for rapid adaptation driven by supergenes and hormone pathway evolution.