evolution of gene collectives: How natural selection drives chemical innovation

DNA sequencing has become central to the study of evolution. Comparing the sequences of individual genes from a variety of organisms has revolutionized our understanding of how single genes evolve, but the challenge of analyzing polygenic phenotypes has complicated efforts to study how genes evolve...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 2008-03, Vol.105 (12), p.4601-4608
Main Authors: Fischbach, Michael A, Walsh, Christopher T, Clardy, Jon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antibiotics
Biochemical pathways
Biosynthesis
Chemical ecology
Chemical Ecology Special Feature
Comparative studies
Divergent evolution
Enzymes
Evolution
Evolution, Molecular
Genes
Genes, Bacterial
Genotype & phenotype
Microorganisms
Molecular structure
Molecules
Multigene Family
Pseudomonas syringae - genetics
Selection, Genetic
Yersinia - genetics
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Summary:DNA sequencing has become central to the study of evolution. Comparing the sequences of individual genes from a variety of organisms has revolutionized our understanding of how single genes evolve, but the challenge of analyzing polygenic phenotypes has complicated efforts to study how genes evolve when they are part of a group that functions collectively. We suggest that biosynthetic gene clusters from microbes are ideal candidates for the evolutionary study of gene collectives; these selfish genetic elements evolve rapidly, they usually comprise a complete pathway, and they have a phenotype--a small molecule--that is easy to identify and assay. Because these elements are transferred horizontally as well as vertically, they also provide an opportunity to study the effects of horizontal transmission on gene evolution. We discuss known examples to begin addressing two fundamental questions about the evolution of biosynthetic gene clusters: How do they propagate by horizontal transfer? How do they change to create new molecules?
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.0709132105