Kaessmann Henrik, Vinckenbosch Nicolas, Long Manyuan
Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Genopode, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Nat Rev Genet. 2009 Jan;10(1):19-31. doi: 10.1038/nrg2487.
Gene copies that stem from the mRNAs of parental source genes have long been viewed as evolutionary dead-ends with little biological relevance. Here we review a range of recent studies that have unveiled a significant number of functional retroposed gene copies in both mammalian and some non-mammalian genomes. These studies have not only revealed previously unknown mechanisms for the emergence of new genes and their functions but have also provided fascinating general insights into molecular and evolutionary processes that have shaped genomes. For example, analyses of chromosomal gene movement patterns via RNA-based gene duplication have shed fresh light on the evolutionary origin and biology of our sex chromosomes.
长期以来,源自亲本源基因mRNA的基因拷贝一直被视为进化的死胡同,几乎没有生物学意义。在这里,我们回顾了一系列近期的研究,这些研究揭示了哺乳动物和一些非哺乳动物基因组中大量具有功能的反转座基因拷贝。这些研究不仅揭示了新基因出现及其功能的前所未知的机制,还为塑造基因组的分子和进化过程提供了引人入胜的总体见解。例如,通过基于RNA的基因复制对染色体基因移动模式的分析,为我们性染色体的进化起源和生物学特性带来了新的认识。