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Related Concept Videos

Gene Duplication and Divergence02:37

Gene Duplication and Divergence

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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.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are...
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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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Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
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Gene Families01:57

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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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Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
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In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
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Updated: May 28, 2025

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish
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Elevated Blood Hemoglobin in Different Cavefish Populations Evolves Through Diverse Hemoglobin Gene Expression

Tyler E Boggs1, Joshua B Gross1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part B, Molecular and Developmental Evolution
|February 11, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Cavefish exhibit elevated blood hemoglobin, but gene expression patterns differ across populations. This suggests life history and unique cave environments shape hemoglobin regulation, even in captivity.

Keywords:
cavefishgene expressionhemoglobinhypoxia

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Cavefish (Astyanax) display higher blood hemoglobin than surface fish, a trait persisting in captivity.
  • Hemoglobin (Hb) gene family expression is influenced by organismal and environmental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if geographically distinct cavefish populations utilize the same hemoglobin genes for elevated expression.
  • To understand the transcriptomic basis of hemoglobin regulation in adapted cavefish.

Main Methods:

  • Transcriptomic analysis of hemoglobin gene expression in three captive cavefish populations.
  • Comparison of gene expression patterns across different cavefish lineages and life stages.

Main Results:

  • Geographically distinct cavefish populations show largely divergent hemoglobin gene expression patterns.
  • Cavefish from Pachón and Tinaja caves exhibit more similar adult Hb expression due to a recent shared origin.
  • Significant variability in the timing of peak Hb gene family member expression exists between Pachón and Tinaja cavefish embryos.

Conclusions:

  • Hemoglobin gene expression in cavefish is a complex mix of shared and divergent patterns.
  • Life history and specific evolutionary pressures of cave environments likely drive these differential expression patterns.