A Population-Genetic Lens into the Process of Gene Loss Following Whole-Genome Duplication.

ABSTRACT: Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) have occurred in many eukaryotic lineages. However, the underlying evolutionary forces and molecular mechanisms responsible for the long-term retention of gene duplicates created by WGDs are not well understood. We employ a population-genomic approach to understand the selective forces acting on paralogs and investigate ongoing duplicate-gene loss in multiple species of Paramecium that share an ancient WGD. We show that mutations that abolish protein function are more likely to be segregating in retained WGD paralogs than in single-copy genes, most likely because of ongoing nonfunctionalization post-WGD. This relaxation of purifying selection occurs in only one WGD paralog, accompanied by the gradual fixation of nonsynonymous mutations and reduction in leve

SUBMITTER: Johri P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9206413 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature