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Functional innovation through new genes as a general evolutionary process.
Shengqian Xia1, Jianhai Chen1, Deanna Arsala1
1Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Nature Genetics
|January 28, 2025
Summary
New genes originate through various molecular mechanisms, challenging the idea that they only arise from existing genes. These novel genes significantly impact evolution and have practical applications in agriculture and medicine.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Recent advances have identified over a dozen molecular mechanisms for new gene origination.
- Gene duplication was previously the primary known mechanism for new gene formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent progress in understanding new gene origins and their evolutionary impact.
- To highlight the de novo origination of genes from noncoding DNA.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular mechanisms for gene genesis.
- Analysis of gene integration into regulatory networks via mutation and selection.
- Observation of origination rates across diverse organisms, particularly flowering plants.
Main Results:
- New genes arise de novo from noncoding DNA, not solely from pre-existing genes.
- Stable origination rates observed across various species.
- New genes play crucial roles in phenotypic evolution and species divergence, including via sexual conflict.
Conclusions:
- The origin of new genes is a dynamic process with multiple pathways.
- Understanding new gene evolution offers translational value for agriculture and medicine.
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