Epigenetic diversity of genes with copy number variations among natural populations of the three-spined stickleback.

ABSTRACT: Duplicated genes provide the opportunity for evolutionary novelty and adaptive divergence. In many cases, having more gene copies increases gene expression, which might facilitate adaptation to stressful or novel environments. Conversely, overexpression or misexpression of duplicated genes can be detrimental and subject to negative selection. In this scenario, newly duplicate genes may evade purifying selection if they are epigenetically silenced, at least temporarily, leading them to persist in populations as copy number variations (CNVs). In animals and plants, younger gene duplicates tend to have higher levels of DNA methylation and lower levels of gene expression, suggesting epigenetic regulation could promote the retention of gene duplications via expression repression or silencing. H

SUBMITTER: Chain FJJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11246597 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature