Articles tagged with Gene Duplication
A new study reveals a novel mouse gene that reduces Alzheimer's disease pathologies by interacting with a key cellular enzyme. The research found that the gene, Rps23r1, interacts with glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) and inhibits its activity, resulting in improved AD-like pathologies in transgenic mice.
Researchers found a mechanism that enables proteins to become more specialized over time, contributing to human biological complexity. Random genetic mutations in duplicate genes can lead to dosage imbalances, which can be alleviated through paralogization, allowing humans to maintain complex tissues.
Researchers found a duplicate copy of a gene involved in embryonic development has taken on a new role in the formation of fish scales. This discovery supports the idea that gene duplication can provide raw materials for evolutionary change, as seen in domesticated carp with reduced scales.
Researchers engineered mice with a duplication of the autism-linked chromosomal region and found they exhibited behaviors associated with human autism, including poor social interaction and repetitive behavior. The study provides a valuable model for therapeutic development and sheds light on the molecular pathways underlying autism.
Researchers discover that Trypanosoma brucei breaks its DNA to change its surface coat, a key strategy for avoiding immune cells. This finding suggests a common mechanism for DNA rearrangement in parasites and humans.
Recent DNA duplications occurred 65 million years ago, coinciding with the last mass extinction event. Plants with duplicated genomes were better adapted to survive dramatic environmental changes.
Scientists identified a highly conserved type IV secretion system in Rickettsia, linked to virulence, and discovered gene duplication and additional contributing genes. The study provides insight into the evolution of Rickettsia virulence and sheds light on its potential as emerging infectious agents.
Researchers found a surge in duplicated sequences containing rapidly evolving genes in the genomes of humans and great apes, with most differences occurring prior to the speciation of chimpanzees. The study suggests that genetic differences contribute significantly to the distinctiveness between humans and chimps, and that these region...
Gene duplication in our ancestral species may be responsible for uniquely human characteristics, and also contribute to diseases like autism and schizophrenia. Research estimates that these duplications slowed down after humans diverged from chimpanzees.
CSHL scientists identify Orc1 as a protein controlling centrosome duplication, preventing excess centrosomes and ensuring genetic stability. The study reveals Orc1's role in regulating centriole pairing and centrosome duplication, with implications for cancer research.
A study of the MSX gene family over 600 million years reveals duplication and diversification of protein regions as key to understanding certain birth disorders. The research provides a molecular explanation for disease patterns associated with cleft lip and palate.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified a novel genetic mechanism underlying white and black coat colors in domestic sheep. They found that the dominant white coat is caused by a duplicated agouti coding sequence, while recessive black coats harbor poorly expressed non-duplicated alleles.
A newly sequenced lancelet genome confirms a 40-year-old theory that gene duplication drove vertebrate evolution. The study shows that genes quadrupled during the evolution of vertebrates, with most duplicate copies lost.
A study funded by the NIH has transformed scientists' understanding of Rett syndrome, a genetic disorder causing autistic behavior and disabling symptoms. The research found that the MECP2 gene acts as an activator for thousands of genes, suppressing some but activating most.
Researchers discovered that duplicated regions of DNA containing the BRAF gene lead to increased tumor growth. Targeting the MAPK pathway, which is downstream of BRAF, may provide a new approach for treating individuals with low-grade astrocytomas.
Researchers propose that bdelloid rotifers' efficient DNA repair capacity and whole-genome duplication enable them to thrive without sex. Their extraordinary resistance to radiation and ability to survive desiccation suggest that their DNA repair mechanism may provide the benefits of sex.
A team of researchers found that deletions and duplications of DNA are more common in people with schizophrenia, affecting genes related to brain development and neurological function. The study suggests that schizophrenia is caused by many different mutations in many different genes.
Researchers have identified a new cause of mental retardation, finding that duplication of two proteins (HSD17B10 and HUWE1) leads to overproduction, offering promising possibilities for treatments. The discovery simplifies the search for remedies by targeting protein production rather than repairing or replacing defective proteins.
A study found that a small portion of chromosome 16, known as 16p11.2, is significantly associated with autism. The deletion occurs in only four out of 712 subjects with autism, yet it is the second most common recurrent genomic disorder linked to the condition.
A study discovered three-finger toxins in a rare rattlesnake subspecies, while a novel toxin gene was found through gene fusion. This discovery reveals the complexity of snake venom composition and its potential for developing new therapeutic agents.
A recent study published in Nature Genetics analyzed mutant sperm cells to identify genes involved in disease, revealing that duplications are less frequent than deletions in certain regions. The findings suggest improved diagnosis for genomic diseases and a new approach to predicting disease-causing variants.
A team of researchers has demonstrated how a single gene in yeast divides and adapts to improve its environment, showcasing the driving force of natural selection. This study provides the most basic view of how organisms evolve to better adapt to their environments.
Researchers identify ancestral origin of long DNA duplications in human genome, shedding light on evolution of disease-causing genetic mutations. The study reveals elevated rates of duplication activity at different times and highlights a small subset of core duplicons responsible for recent genetic innovations.
Researchers found humans carry more gene copies than ape relatives to produce more amylase enzyme, which digests starch. This discovery bolsters the idea that starch played a crucial role in early human diet and evolution.
A team of Cornell researchers has identified a previously unknown gene in fruit flies that appears to have been created from scratch around 13 million years ago. The new gene, called hydra, is functional and likely plays a role in late-stage sperm cell development.
VIB researchers have discovered that MYB duplication is associated with T-ALL cases, leading to increased MYB concentrations. This finding opens up possibilities for targeted therapies against this specific group of patients.
Scientists discovered that bony fish duplicated their yolk-producing genes, allowing eggs to fill with water and float. This post-R3 lineage-specific gene duplication enabled hydration of maturing eggs, driving the evolution and success of marine teleosts in the oceanic environment.
Researchers found that humans and chimps share approximately 96% of their genes, with the remaining 4% being unique to each species. The study discovered a significant increase in gene duplication among humans, including those influencing brain functions, providing new insights into human evolution.
Researchers found 56% of gene families studied across five species have grown or shrunk, suggesting frequent evolutionary changes. Humans gained 689 genes through gene duplication and lost 86 since diverging from chimps.
Researchers identify key genes and proteins involved in bringing chromosomes together during meiosis, shedding light on the evolution of sex. The study provides new insights into the role of zinc-finger proteins in stabilizing chromosome interactions during pairing.
Researchers discover RELM-beta's role in IBD, finding it activates macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory factors. Additionally, antibodies against BP180 cause blister formation in mice by activating the classical complement pathway.
Researchers developed a new mouse strain with a gene mutation that mimics human leukemia. The study found that the mutation affects Hox genes, leading to rapid cell growth and increased lifespan of cancer cells. The findings suggest that understanding this process could lead to new therapeutic options for AML patients.
Tetrahymena thermophila has two distinct nuclei, each with a different genome, and its macronuclear genome expresses genes governing behavior. The study reveals gene duplication in genes involved in sensing and responding to environment.
University of Utah scientists reverse evolution by reconstructing a 530-million-year-old gene from two modern mouse genes. By combining key portions of Hoxa1 and Hoxb1, they effectively recreated a gene with the function that the original Hox1 performed more than 530 million years ago.
The study investigates how environmental and evolutionary factors influence genome structure and diversity through the proliferation of genes into multi-gene families. The research reveals that ecological factors play a significant role in shaping organismal complexity.
Evolutionary biologist Jianzhi Zhang discovers parallel evolution of pancreatic enzyme RNASE1 in Asian and African colobine monkeys, showing identical amino acid changes despite separate duplication events. The study reveals a division of labor between old and new genes after duplication.
A recent study by Penn State researchers suggests that a massive whole-genome duplication event in early flowering plants could explain their rapid evolution. The team detected a concentration of duplicated genes, which is evidence of a whole-genome duplication event.
Researchers at Yale have identified a new cellular structure, Centrin2, involved in duplicating the Golgi apparatus as cells prepare to divide. This process is crucial for distributing newly-made proteins to different membranes in the cell.
Researchers discovered a genetic duplication of 27 genes on chromosome 7, which affects language abilities. The study's findings provide insight into the cause of specific language impairment and may lead to new treatments.
The study classified duplicate pairs of genes involved in yeast metabolism into four functional categories: back-up, subfunctionalization, regulation, and gene dosage. These mechanisms play a substantial role in maintaining duplicate genes in the genome.
A recent study has mapped the chimpanzee genome onto the human genome sequence, revealing a 2.7% difference in segmental duplications. The researchers found that around a third of duplications are unique to humans, while some segments show 'hyperexpansions' with up to 400 copies in chimpanzees.
Researchers used genome synteny to study two closely related flower genes, AGAMOUS and PLENA, in Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum. They found that the genes originated from a single duplicated event around 125 million years ago.
Scientists have identified temporal bias in gene duplication events within a complex region of human chromosome 2. This 'punctuated' evolution suggests that DNA duplication and rearrangement occurred at an unprecedented scale in the past, followed by quiescence.
A new software called Notung allows researchers to identify genes that arose recently and understand their role in modern organisms. The tool uses evolutionary scenarios and gene duplications to provide insights into gene evolution and function.
Researchers at UCLA have pinpointed a specific region on chromosome 17 associated with autism in males. The discovery may help explain why girls are less likely to develop the condition, as the gene contributing to autism only affects boys.
Researchers identify 22 new human-specific genes, including RanBP2, which evolved unique functions through gene duplication and domain acquisition. The study reveals a key role for gene duplication in evolution and sheds light on species specificity.
A team of scientists has published a near-complete genome analysis of rice, revealing a whole-genome duplication event that may have played a role in the origin of grasses. The study provides important insights into the evolution of rice and its possible impact on human history.
A study found that pigs have more babies due to gene duplication, which allowed them to adapt to climate change. The researchers used a multi-disciplinary approach to investigate the evolution of aromatase genes and their role in altering reproductive biology.
A jumping gene called mUtp14b has been found to affect fertility in mice, with a mutation leading to sterility. Researchers believe this gene may play a role in male infertility in humans and are investigating its potential impact.
Researchers identified a shared gene family responsible for calcium binding in bones, enamel, dentine, milk, and saliva. The genes, including SPARC and SPARCL1, evolved from a common ancestral gene and reside on the same chromosome in most vertebrates.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology compared the genomes of humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans to identify variations in gene copy numbers. The researchers found over 1,000 genes with changes in copy number, with humans showing the highest number of increased copy numbers, particularly in brain-related genes.
Scientists have confirmed that baker's yeast underwent complete genome duplication, resulting in the creation of thousands of new genes. This phenomenon allowed for rapid adaptation to new environments and evolution of new functions.
A new study overturns previous findings on sex-related genes, showing that they escape from the X chromosome during germline cell division. The research team proposes two explanations for this phenomenon, which contradicts the conventional theory of the X chromosome being a 'hot bed' for sex-related genes.
A team of biologists at UC Berkeley has found a key gene involved in the first step of meiosis, allowing chromosomes to recognize and pair with their homologs. This discovery is crucial for understanding meiosis in humans and could lead to insights into infertility and genetic diseases.
St. Jude scientists have discovered a new method to target the Topoisomerase 1 enzyme, crucial for cell division, leading to potential novel anti-cancer drugs that can work in combination with existing agents. This approach may also reduce cancer cells' ability to become resistant to treatment.
A team of Purdue University researchers has identified the genetic mechanism responsible for dwarfed appearance in corn and sorghum plants. This finding may help develop dwarf forms in other crops, improving food production in certain regions. The study also reveals a genetic phenomenon involving direct duplication that causes instabil...
The human genome has been fully sequenced, revealing important genes and their biological significance. The sequence data is expected to aid in the understanding of genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Williams-Beuren syndrome.
Researchers at Purdue University have identified a gene that controls the production of plants' outermost protective coating. By manipulating this gene, they may be able to create crops with increased drought resistance. The study found that altering the gene's expression can result in thicker or more rigid cuticles, reducing water los...
The UC Riverside-led study unveils the genome sequence of Neurospora, a model organism for understanding fungi's role in agriculture, medicine and the environment. The research reveals 10,000 predicted genes, with significant implications for developing new antibiotics and disease control strategies.
Scientists have identified two major gene duplication events in Arabidopsis, a small flowering plant, which occurred 200 million and 80 million years ago. These events are believed to be responsible for the differences among modern plants.