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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
07:26
Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
A comprehensive and accessible database of jawed-vertebrate ohnologs
Łukasz Niezabitowski1, Róisín Long1, Anthony K Redmond2
1Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Science Advances
|August 7, 2026
Summary
Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) created gene sets called ohnologs, impacting vertebrate evolution and disease. This study presents a new ohnolog database to better understand these gene sets and their functions.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) are major drivers of vertebrate evolution.
- Retained gene duplicates, known as ohnologs, influence genome structure, function, and disease susceptibility.
- A comprehensive and reliable ohnolog database is currently lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a robust ohnolog dataset using ancestral genome reconstructions, phylogenetic, and synteny data.
- To provide a user-friendly interface for accessing detailed information on ohnologs, including evidence quality.
- To resolve the origins of ohnologs (1R vs. 2R) and identify previously undetected ohnologs.
Main Methods:
- Ancestral genome reconstructions.
- Phylogenetic analysis.
- Synteny analysis.
- Development of a user-friendly database interface.
Main Results:
- A high-quality ohnolog dataset was generated, resolving many 1R/2R origins.
- Previously elusive ohnologs were identified.
- Ohnologs retained after 1R are linked to cellular transport.
- Ohnologs retained after both 1R and 2R are enriched for signaling, particularly neuronal signaling.
Conclusions:
- WGDs significantly impacted early vertebrate evolution by creating ohnologs.
- Retained ohnologs after WGDs contribute to diverse cellular functions, from transport to complex signaling.
- The findings suggest WGDs facilitated adaptation and expanded intercellular communication capabilities in vertebrates.
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