MicroRNAs as Indicators into the Causes and Consequences of Whole-Genome Duplication Events.

ABSTRACT: Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) have long been considered the causal mechanism underlying dramatic increases to morphological complexity due to the neo-functionalization of paralogs generated during these events. Nonetheless, an alternative hypothesis suggests that behind the retention of most paralogs is not neo-functionalization, but instead the degree of the inter-connectivity of the intended gene product, as well as the mode of the WGD itself. Here, we explore both the causes and consequences of WGD by examining the distribution, expression, and molecular evolution of microRNAs (miRNAs) in both gnathostome vertebrates as well as chelicerate arthropods. We find that although the number of miRNA paralogs tracks the number of WGDs experienced within the lineage, few of these paralogs exp

SUBMITTER: Peterson KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8789304 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature