Candidate orphan genes: Reassessing uniqueness.

ABSTRACT: Orphan genes lack recognizable homologues outside a given taxonomic unit; thus, they have uncertain evolutionary origins. This presents a profound challenge to traditional models of gene evolution. Their presence has fueled ongoing debate, and they have long been implicated in driving lineage-specific traits in medicine and evolutionary biology. These genes are often linked to species-specific traits and pathogenic mechanisms, including virulence and environmental adaptation, and their study provides critical insights into the origins and evolution of novel genes. Intrigued by their enigmatic nature, we re-analyzed a comprehensive 2023 dataset of orphan genes compiled from over 80,000 bacterial species. Using homology-based analyses, we reassessed the taxonomic distribution of each gene ac

SUBMITTER: Maan SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12755737 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature