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Related Concept Videos

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

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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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Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
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Organisms are capable of detecting and fixing nucleotide mismatches that occur during DNA replication. This sophisticated process requires identifying the new strand and replacing the erroneous bases with correct nucleotides. Mismatch repair is coordinated by many proteins in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
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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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In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).
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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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Incompatibility and Interchangeability in Molecular Evolution.

Daniel B Sloan1, Jessica M Warren2, Alissa M Williams3

  • 1Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Genome Biology and Evolution
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PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Genetic incompatibilities vary widely. Genes in complex interactions or vital to cell viability resist change, explaining evolutionary patterns.

Keywords:
cytonuclearepistasishorizontal gene transferhybridizationprotein–protein interactions

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Molecular evolution

Background:

  • Genetic incompatibilities accumulate at different rates across species.
  • Minor genetic changes can cause major incompatibilities during hybridization.
  • Genes and pathways can be horizontally transferred between divergent lineages with few incompatibilities.

Approach:

  • This review explores general principles governing gene compatibility and interchangeability.
  • It summarizes evidence for genetic features conferring resistance to functional replacement.
  • Future research directions are outlined to understand molecular evolution patterns.

Key Points:

  • Genes in multisubunit complexes and protein-protein interactions show resistance to change.
  • Sensitivity to gene dosage and rapid sequence evolution influence incompatibility.
  • High importance to cell viability makes genes prone to incompatibilities.

Conclusions:

  • Four genetic features influence resistance to functional replacement and interchangeability.
  • Understanding these features is key to explaining evolutionary patterns of genetic incompatibility.
  • Further research will elucidate the striking contrasts in molecular evolution.