Evolution of a new function by degenerative mutation in cephalochordate steroid receptors.

ABSTRACT: Gene duplication is the predominant mechanism for the evolution of new genes. Major existing models of this process assume that duplicate genes are redundant; degenerative mutations in one copy can therefore accumulate close to neutrally, usually leading to loss from the genome. When gene products dimerize or interact with other molecules for their functions, however, degenerative mutations in one copy may produce repressor alleles that inhibit the function of the other and are therefore exposed to selection. Here, we describe the evolution of a duplicate repressor by simple degenerative mutations in the steroid hormone receptors (SRs), a biologically crucial vertebrate gene family. We isolated and characterized the SRs of the cephalochordate Branchiostoma floridae, which diverged from oth

SUBMITTER: Bridgham JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2527136 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature