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Related Concept Videos

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

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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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Exon Recombination02:32

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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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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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Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
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Eukaryotic Evolution01:24

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The endosymbiont theory is the most widely accepted theory of eukaryotic evolution; however, its progression is still somewhat debated. According to the nucleus-first hypothesis, the ancestral prokaryote first evolved a membrane to enclose DNA and form the nucleus. Conversely, the mitochondria-first hypothesis suggests that the nucleus was formed after endosymbiosis of mitochondria.
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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.
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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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Evolutionary New Genes in a Growing Paradigm.

Esther Betrán1, Manyuan Long2

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA.

Genes
|September 23, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

New genes arise through various evolutionary mechanisms, a key question in biology. Understanding gene birth and evolution is crucial for comprehending life's diversity.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The origin of new genes is a fundamental question in evolutionary biology.
  • Investigating the processes driving gene birth and evolution is essential for understanding biodiversity.

Discussion:

  • The study explores the mechanisms behind the emergence of novel genetic material.
  • It examines the evolutionary trajectories and functionalization of newly formed genes.

Key Insights:

  • New genes can originate from various sources, including duplication and rearrangement events.
  • The process involves both the initial emergence of a gene sequence and its subsequent adaptation.

Outlook:

  • Further research will elucidate the precise molecular pathways and population genetics involved in gene birth.
  • Understanding gene evolution contributes to fields like synthetic biology and medicine.