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Related Concept Videos

Gene Conversion02:08

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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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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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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.
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Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.
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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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Interlocus Gene Conversion, Natural Selection, and Paralog Homogenization.

Yixuan Yang1, Tanchumin Xu1,2, Gavin Conant1,3

  • 1Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.

Molecular Biology and Evolution
|September 7, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Interlocus gene conversion (IGC) significantly homogenizes duplicated genes, especially in teleosts and yeast. This process, driven by point mutations, results in higher rates of protein sequence homogenization than previously estimated.

Keywords:
interlocus gene conversionparalog homogenizationteleost genome duplication

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Genetics
  • Molecular Evolution
  • Comparative Genomics

Background:

  • Gene duplication is a primary driver of evolutionary innovation.
  • Paralogs, resulting from gene duplication, typically diverge over time.
  • Mutation and natural selection influence paralog divergence, but their roles in homogenization are complex.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the extent of paralog homogenization caused by point mutations and interlocus gene conversion (IGC).
  • To differentiate between homogenizing and non-homogenizing nonsynonymous substitutions.
  • To compare rates of homogenization across different gene sets and species.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 164 duplicated teleost genes.
  • Estimation of postduplication codon substitutions attributed to IGC versus point mutation.
  • Delineation of nonsynonymous substitutions based on their homogenizing effect on protein sequences.

Main Results:

  • Interlocus gene conversion (IGC) accounts for a median of 7-8% of postduplication codon substitutions in teleost genes.
  • Homogenizing nonsynonymous substitution rates are higher than non-homogenizing rates for 163 out of 164 teleost gene sets.
  • In 14 yeast ribosomal protein-coding gene sets, homogenizing nonsynonymous rates exceed synonymous rates.

Conclusions:

  • Interlocus gene conversion (IGC) is a significant force in maintaining sequence similarity between paralogs.
  • Homogenizing pressures are prevalent in duplicated genes across different taxa, including teleosts and yeast.
  • The findings challenge assumptions about the primary drivers of paralog evolution, highlighting the role of IGC in sequence conservation.