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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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When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.
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Cis-regulatory sequences are short fragments of non-coding DNA that are present on the same chromosomes as the genes that they regulate. These fragments serve as binding sites for transcriptional regulators, proteins that are responsible for controlling gene transcription and differential gene expression across cell types in eukaryotes. Cis-regulatory sequences can be close to the gene of interest or thousands of bases away in the DNA sequence; however, those sequences that are further away are...
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Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...
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Next-generation sequencing technologies have created large genomic databases of a variety of animals and plants. Ever since the human genome project was completed, scientists studied the genome of primates, mammals, and other phylogenetically distant living beings. Such large-scale  studies have provided new insights into the evolutionary relationship between organisms.
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DNA-only transposons are called autonomous transposons since they code for the enzyme transposase that is required for the transposition mechanism. Insertion of transposons can alter gene functions in multiple ways. They can mutate the gene, alter gene expression by introducing a novel promoter or insulator sequence, introduce new splice sites, and change the mRNA transcripts produced, or remodel chromatin structure.
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Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Extracting DNA from the Gut Microbes of the Termite Zootermopsis Angusticollis and Visualizing Gut Microbes
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Pervasive relaxed selection in termite genomes.

Kyle M Ewart1, Simon Y W Ho1, Al-Aabid Chowdhury1

  • 1School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|May 21, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Termite genomes show slower synonymous substitution rates but faster non-synonymous rates and relaxed selection compared to cockroaches, indicating unique genomic adaptations to eusociality and efficient purging of harmful genetic mutations.

Keywords:
Blattodeaeffective population sizeeusocialityindirect selectionphylogenomicsrelaxed selection

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular Evolution

Background:

  • Eusociality, a complex social structure, has intrigued biologists for decades.
  • Previous research suggests higher molecular evolutionary rates in eusocial insects compared to solitary ones.
  • The genomic consequences of eusociality in termites remain less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genomic evolutionary consequences of eusociality in termites.
  • To compare termite genomes with those of their non-eusocial cockroach relatives.
  • To identify genomic adaptations associated with termite social structure and caste differentiation.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenomic analysis of nine genomes, including three newly sequenced cockroach genomes.
  • Comparative analysis of synonymous and non-synonymous substitution rates between termites and cockroaches.
  • Assessment of selection pressures and identification of genes related to caste differentiation.

Main Results:

  • Termite genomes exhibit lower synonymous substitution rates but higher non-synonymous substitution rates than cockroach genomes.
  • Pervasive relaxed selection was identified in 24-31% of termite genes, likely due to reduced effective population size.
  • No significant increase in genetic load was observed in termites, suggesting efficient allele purging at the colony level.
  • Genomic adaptations, including genes involved in post-translational modifications, were identified, potentially underpinning caste differentiation.

Conclusions:

  • Eusociality in termites has led to distinct genomic evolutionary patterns compared to solitary cockroaches.
  • Reduced effective population size and efficient colony-level selection shape termite genome evolution.
  • Specific genomic adaptations likely facilitate the development and maintenance of termite castes.