Functional Divergence for Every Paralog

Ltter Functional Divergence for Every Paralog

Because genes can be constrained by selection at more than one phenotypic level, the relaxation of constraints following gene duplication allows for functional divergence (FD) along multiple phenotypic axes. Many studies have generated individual measures of FD, but the profile of FD between paralogs across levels of phenotypic space remains largely uncharted. We evaluate paralog pairs that ori...

Differential selection within the Drosophila retinal determination network and evidence for functional divergence between paralog pairs.

The retinal determination (RD) network in Drosophila comprises 14 known nuclear proteins that include DNA-binding proteins, transcriptional coactivators, kinases, and phosphatases. The composition of the network varies considerably throughout the animal kingdom, with the network in several basal insects having fewer members and with vertebrates having potentially significantly higher numbers of...

Differential paralog divergence modulates genome evolution across yeast species

Evolutionary outcomes depend not only on the selective forces acting upon a species, but also on the genetic background. However, large timescales and uncertain historical selection pressures can make it difficult to discern such important background differences between species. Experimental evolution is one tool to compare evolutionary potential of known genotypes in a controlled environment. ...

Gene Duplication and Functional Divergence

Paralog-selective ligands for bcl-2 proteins.

There is considerable current interest in molecules that bind intra- or extracellular protein surfaces and inhibit protein-protein interactions. Previously we have reported that miniature proteins based on pancreatic-fold polypeptides can recognize even shallow alpha-helix binding clefts with high affinity and selectivity against unrelated proteins. One such miniature protein, PPBH3-1, binds th...