Neofunctionalization of duplicated genes under the pressure of gene conversion.

ABSTRACT: Neofunctionalization occurs when a neofunctionalized allele is fixed in one of duplicated genes. This is a simple fixation process if duplicated genes accumulate mutations independently. However, the process is very complicated when duplicated genes undergo concerted evolution by gene conversion. Our simulations demonstrate that the process could be described with three distinct stages. First, a newly arisen neofunctionalized allele increases in frequency by selection, but gene conversion prevents its complete fixation. These two factors (selection and gene conversion) that work in opposite directions create an equilibrium, and the time during which the frequency of the neofunctionalized allele drifts around the equilibrium value is called the temporal equilibrium stage. During this tempor

SUBMITTER: Teshima KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2278071 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature