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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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Cooperative allosteric transitions can occur in multimeric proteins, where each subunit of the protein has its own ligand-binding site. When a ligand binds to any of these subunits, it triggers a conformational change that affects the binding sites in the other subunits; this can change the affinity of the other sites for their respective ligands. The ability of the protein to change the shape of its binding site is attributed to the presence of a mix of flexible and stable segments in the...
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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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Groups of proteins may form a complex where each protein in this complex has a different role in the overall execution of the complex’s function. Often some of the proteins in the complex can be replaced by a closely related variant to give a complex that contains many of the same components yet is functionally distinct.
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A bond is formed between two atoms by sharing two electrons. When this bond is broken by supplying sufficient energy, either two electrons can be taken up by one atom forming ions by the cleavage called heterolysis, or the two electrons are shared by two atoms, with one each creating radicals by the cleavage called homolysis.
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Single-Molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Methods for Real-Time Investigation of the Holliday Junction Resolution by GEN1
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Constructive neutral evolution of homodimer to heterodimer transition.

Lin Chou1, Carly J Houghton1, Aaron Wacholder1

  • 1Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|October 24, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Complex molecular structures, like heterodimers, can evolve from simpler forms through non-adaptive changes. This study shows that evolution doesn't always require beneficial mutations for such complexification.

Keywords:
constructive neutral evolution (CNE)deep mutational scangene duplicationneofunctionalizationobligate heterodimerprotein complex

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Molecular evolution
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Macromolecular complexification, including transitions from homodimers to heterodimers, is a frequent evolutionary occurrence.
  • The adaptive significance of such complexification events remains an open question in evolutionary studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether macromolecular complexification, specifically the evolution of obligate heterodimers from homodimers, is always driven by adaptive processes.
  • To identify and quantify the key parameters facilitating these evolutionary transitions.

Main Methods:

  • Large-scale experimental approaches were employed.
  • In-depth biochemical analyses were conducted to dissect the transition mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated that an obligate heterodimer can indeed evolve from a homodimer through neutral, nonadaptive evolutionary events.
  • Quantified critical parameters that govern the feasibility and progression of these molecular transitions.

Conclusions:

  • Macromolecular complexification, exemplified by homodimer to heterodimer evolution, can occur without necessarily being adaptive.
  • Neutral evolutionary pathways play a significant role in the emergence of complex molecular structures.