Articles tagged with Gene Duplication
Researchers describe a method to study evolutionary history prior to the last universal common ancestor, providing insights into the emergence of foundational characteristics of life. They focus on 'universal paralogs,' rare gene families with broad presence across all or nearly all organisms alive today.
Researchers identified dozens of genes that regulate DNA repeat expansion, which accelerates as people age. The study found common genetic variants can speed up or slow this process by up to fourfold, linking it to serious diseases like kidney failure and liver disease.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory developed an AI-powered approach to identify redundant genes in plants. By analyzing evolutionary data and machine learning models, they predicted which genes to edit to modify specific traits, providing a new 'roadmap' for plant breeders.
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo found that European eels have restored aquaporin proteins with broad solute permeability through a recent gene duplication event. The study revealed that the genes Aqp10.2b2 and b3 acquired functional diversification, enabling them to transport urea and boric acid similar to Aqp10.1.
A study by a trans-European research team reveals how DNA condensation during the cell cycle is regulated by a unique molecular switch. When cell division begins, the key enzyme CDK1 phosphorylates microcephalin and M18BP1, allowing condensin II to pack the DNA into sausage-shaped chromosomes.
Researchers discovered that whole-genome duplication persists for thousands of generations due to its advantage in growing larger cells and forming bigger clusters, leading to the development of multicellularity. The study provides new insights into how genome duplication contributes to biological complexity.
A team of geneticists discovered a gene 'silencer' in junk DNA that prevents the devastating neurological disease autosomal dominant leukodystrophy (ADLD). The silencer element regulates lamin B1 expression, only affecting one type of cell, and its presence can spare patients from fatal symptoms.
Researchers have identified the gene DYRK1A as a key driver of 'glue ear' in people with Down syndrome, a middle ear condition commonly known as otitis media with effusion. The discovery paves the way for future targeted therapies to address hearing loss in patients.
Researchers found that plants have multiple enzymes for adding methyl groups to DNA, allowing them to override genetic instructions. The study reveals the evolutionary history of these enzymes and their unique structures, providing insights into plant resilience to environmental changes.
Researchers investigated whole genome duplication's effects on greater duckweed's metabolome, finding increased metabolite abundance and changes in cell size. The study sheds light on the immediate phytochemical effects of WGD, highlighting the need for cell-level impacts analysis.
Researchers discovered that killifish embryos co-opted ancient genes, originating over 473 million years ago, to enable diapause during the annual dry season. The team found significant overlap in gene expression patterns between killifish and other animals, including house mice, suggesting a common mechanism for diapause evolution.
A study reveals that gene duplication events hundreds of millions years ago led to the emergence of complex traits such as insect flight and octopus camouflage. These 'copy paste' errors allowed for the specialization of ancestral genes, which were then repurposed for specific tissues and organs.
Researchers at CNIO have discovered a new protein that prevents DNA triplication, reducing the risk of cancer. The RAD51 protein ensures that DNA is copied only once, preventing errors and damage.
Researchers found duplicated antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria from environments with higher antibiotic use, increasing the likelihood of evolution and resistance to new treatments. The study suggests using antibiotics more efficiently could address the growing antibiotic resistance crisis.
Researchers discovered a complex network of gene duplications and losses associated with tardigrade extremotolerance, highlighting the intricate genetic landscape driving modern tardigrade ecology. The study sheds light on the evolution of anhydrobiosis in tardigrades, revealing two independent transitions from marine to limno-terrestr...
A team of researchers has found that homosporous lycophytes have maintained a consistent genetic structure for over 350 million years. This unusual phenomenon reveals important aspects of plant evolution and genetics, providing a unique window into the past.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have discovered a new relationship between DNA replication timing and cellular plasticity, allowing for the potential reprogramming of cells. The study found that the three-dimensional structure of the genome influences the flexibility of the replication timing program.
An international team of scientists found that sea snakes have enhanced their colour vision due to living in brighter marine environments. The species has four intact copies of the opsin gene SWS1, allowing them to see a wider range of colors.
A biologist at Binghamton University has developed a new method to uncover the parent species of hybrid plants and animals. By examining genomic patterns within these hybrids, researchers can identify distinct ancestries and determine the order in which chromosomes were inherited from their progenitor species.
A new study from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals the placenta's polyploid cells play a vital role in supporting healthy embryonic development. The modified cell cycle controlling polyploidy is governed by the regulatory gene Myc, which supports DNA replication and prevents premature cellular aging.
Researchers have pinpointed a previously hidden whole genome duplication in the common ancestor of sturgeons and paddlefish, which may have provided genetic variations that helped these species survive mass extinctions. The discovery suggests that there may be many more overlooked whole genome duplications in other species before perio...
Researchers identified a novel high RS gene, SSIIIb, which when combined with the loss-of-function SSIIIa gene, increased RS content in cooked rice. This breakthrough provides genetic resources for breeding high-RS rice varieties, potentially reducing obesity and related health issues.
Cancer develops when genome doubling leads to chromatin disorganization, promoting oncogene activation and genomic instability. Researchers found that WGD causes sub-compartment repositioning and loss of chromatin segregation.
Researchers identify duplicated gene as cause of social deficits and seizures in autism type, finding that reducing PRRT2 levels can restore normal brain activity and behavior. This discovery could lead to novel therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders with brain over-activation.
Researchers at Okayama University discovered genes and proteins responsible for the rapid contraction of axopodia in Heliozoa, a group of eukaryotes. The study identified key players in microtubule disruption, including katanin p60, kinesin, and calcium signaling proteins.
A fungus infecting salamanders has evolved to contain multiple copies of jumping genes, which contribute to its increased virulence. The 'copy and paste' mechanism allows the fungus to amplify skin-destruction genes, making it more deadly.
Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered a novel sex-determination mechanism in the Amami spiny rat, a species lacking the Y chromosome and Sry gene. The mechanism involves the upregulation of Sox9 gene on chromosome 3, induced by a new regulatory element similar to Enh14.
Two new discoveries led by Cedars-Sinai Cancer investigators improve understanding of ovarian cancer's development and suggest personalized therapeutic approaches. They identified four new genetic regions linked to increased ovarian cancer risk and found that some tumors may develop resistance to chemotherapy from an early stage.
Researchers discovered a bacterial enzyme that enabled the evolution of longhorned beetles to break down complex plant cell wall components. The study found that gene duplication played a key role in increasing the diversity and specificity of these enzymes.
The completed human genome assembly has revealed new insights into human evolution and diseases. Researchers found that highly repetitive regions, including segmental duplications, contain genes critical for brain development and function. These findings shed light on the genetic factors that make humans distinct from other primates.
Researchers found that gene duplications can complicate crop improvements, with some plants showing little effect despite similar mutations. This study highlights the need to understand evolutionary changes in plant genomes to develop more predictable crop improvements.
Researchers have discovered an ancient receptor protein that can detect karrikins in smoke from burnt plant material, initiating molecular signals to speed up seed germination. The study also found that the receptors play a role in sensing growth hormones in plants, shedding light on the enigmatic karrikin signaling pathway.
A recent study found that many marine invertebrates, including sponges and jellyfish, retain the same chromosomal structure as their primitive ancestors over 600 million years ago. This discovery underscores the conservatism of evolution and provides a key link between humans and our distant ancestors.
A genetic variation among some Greenlanders makes sugar healthy by converting it into a short-chain fatty acid called acetate, which boosts the immune system. Adult carriers have lower BMI, weight, and fat percentage, while children may experience negative consequences from consuming sugar.
A UNIGE team has identified important regulatory mechanisms of the protein responsible for chromosome separation. The study reveals that inhibitory proteins block separase activity by occupying sites that recognize the cohesin substrate, preventing cleavage.
A study on gymnosperm diversification reveals that gene duplications are linked to major pulses of phenotypic evolution. The researchers found that ecological opportunity and environmental heterogeneity drove a resurgence of gymnosperm diversification since the rise of angiosperms.
Researchers developed an algorithm to compare cell types in different species, revealing conserved genes and cell type families across evolutionary distances. The mapping method accounts for changes over millions of years, enabling biologists to trace the trajectory of cell types in organisms along the tree of life.
A new study proposes a universal nomenclature for oxytocin and vasotocin genes, which were previously named differently in various species due to small protein coding differences. The researchers found that both hormones stem from a common ancestral gene and propose a new naming convention based on this evolutionary history.
Scientists have assembled high-quality reference genomes for 16 endangered species, including the kakapo and vaquita, revealing that even small populations can survive if humans do not kill off remaining animals. The 'kitchen sink approach' combined multiple biotech tools to produce error-free genome assemblies.
A team of researchers has reconstructed the formation of a newly emerged protein in flies, essential for male fertility. The study reveals that species form new proteins de novo without related precursor proteins, with beneficial functions emerging after millions of years.
A recent study by Berkeley Lab scientists confirms the hypothesis that a protein called ORF8 holds the answer to understanding how the new strain of coronavirus evolved. Meanwhile, a new report assesses the economic costs of widespread power outages and finds that utilities rarely account for direct and indirect costs.
Researchers identify nearly 108,000 previously undetected structural variants and 278 SV hotspots in diverse human populations. The findings provide fundamental insights into the structure and variation of the human genome.
Researchers reconstructed evolutionary events based on genetic changes, finding complex cellular machinery evolved before mitochondrial symbiosis. The study suggests cell complexity increased before acquiring mitochondria, challenging current understanding of eukaryogenesis.
A new study has identified regions in the banyan fig's genome that promote the development of its aerial roots and enhance its ability to signal its wasp pollinator. The researchers also discovered a sex-determining region in a related fig tree, Ficus hispida, which produces distinct male and female trees with no aerial roots.
Researchers found that genome duplications contribute to the morphological variation and biological diversity in plants. The study analyzed 4,000 species of Brassicaceae family and revealed no key innovation in morphological characteristics over time.
Researchers have developed algorithms that can accurately identify mutations in chromosomes linked to cancer, such as loss or duplication of chromosome parts. This breakthrough yields a clearer picture of cancer evolution and spread, enabling improved diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers discovered a new gene family critical for forming vertebrate head skeletons and unique traits during embryonic development. The Endothelin signaling pathway allows neural crest cells to proliferate and specialize into different roles throughout the body, making vertebrates distinct from invertebrates.
Researchers analyzed 1,903 RNA-seq datasets from 182 projects to reveal a complex history of gene family trees, allowing them to study the evolutionary dynamics of gene expression patterns. Gene duplication plays a key role in expression pattern shifts, and preadaptive propensities exist for genes to be utilized in other organs.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of six widely divergent living bat species, uncovering key findings on gene expansions and losses that contribute to bats' unique traits. The study reveals 'fossilized viruses,' evidence of surviving past viral infections, and genetic signatures of ancient viral interactions.
A study found that gene retention depends on functional and structural entanglement, which measures interdependency between gene structure and function. This suggests that some gene duplicates are retained due to the limitations of their protein products.
A new study sequenced the genome of Gardenia jasminoides and discovered how it produces crocin, a compound with medicinal properties. The research highlights an evolutionary process called tandem gene duplication that enables plants to expand their genetic toolkit and create new capabilities.
Scientists used chromosomes to study early events in vertebrate evolution, including the hybridization between two species of primitive fish. They found evidence of genome duplication and identified 17 ancient chromosomal units that were shared among jawed vertebrates.
Scientists from University of Würzburg successfully sequenced sturgeon genome, showing genetic material has changed little over 250 million years. The study sheds light on the ancestry of vertebrates and provides important insights for protecting species.
Scientists at Uppsala University propose the SNAP Hypothesis to explain why genes move on chromosomes. This hypothesis suggests that tandem duplications of chromosome sections occur frequently, leading to changes in gene order over time. Random loss of unnecessary duplicated genes can result in rapid rearrangements of remaining genes.
A team of scientists created an algorithm to analyze genetic information and draw conclusions about the evolutionary history of species with whole-genome duplications. The program can identify when duplication occurred, how it affected the population, and make predictions about the evolutionary path of a species.
Researchers at the University of Seville have identified new factors necessary for repairing chromosomal breaks that can cause cell death. The discovery involves proteins modifying histones, which are essential for chromosome structure and cohesion.
Cartilaginous fishes, including sharks and rays, have lost the SWS1 and SWS2 opsin genes, leading to cone monochromacy and limited color vision. The study provides detailed insights into their visual pigments, shedding light on evolutionary adaptations to ocean environments.
A new study published in Nature reports the genome sequence of the blue-petal water lily, finding evidence of genetic innovations that may have led to the evolution of floral scent and other traits in early-diverged flowering plants. The research sheds light on the early evolution of all angiosperms.
Researchers found that gene duplication and DNA circle formation can be actively driven by the environment, allowing yeast to adapt faster. Older cells may gain an advantage by holding onto more DNA circles than they pass on, a phenomenon resembling a cellular insurance policy.
The avocado genome has been sequenced, shedding light on its ancient origins and providing a foundation for future improvements to farming. The study reveals that the popular Hass avocado inherited about 61% of its DNA from Mexican varieties and about 39% from Guatemalan ones.