Orthologs
Orthologs - Related Videos
08:09
Annotation of Plant Gene Function via Combined Genomics, Metabolomics and Informatics
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Cited by 8 •
2012
Combination of genomics, co-expression gene analysis and the identification of target compounds via metabolism give gene functional annotation.
01:57
Gene Families
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2020
Gene families consist of groups of genes proposed to have originated from a common ancestor. Typically these arise through events in which a gene or genes are mistakenly duplicated during cell division. Unlike their parent genes (which are subject to selection pressure to maintain function), these gene copies do not need to preserve their sequences and may evolve at a relatively faster rate. Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
12:31
In Vivo Modeling of the Morbid Human Genome using Danio rerio
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Cited by 66 •
2013
Here, we present a systematic approach for developing physiologically relevant, sensitive and specific in vivo assays for interpreting variation in human pathology. Transient genetic manipulation via microinjection of WT and mutant human mRNA and morpholino (MO) antisense oligonucleotides harness the tractability of the developing zebrafish embryo to rapidly assay pathogenic mutations, especially, but not exclusively, in the context of human developmental disorders.
02:47
Protein Families
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2020
Protein families are groups of homologous proteins; that is, they have similarities in amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures. Protein families usually occur because of gene duplication, where an additional copy of a gene is inserted into the genome of an organism. Mutations that change the amino acids but still allow the protein to be properly synthesized, will lead to new protein family members. If these new proteins contain similar amino acids in key locations, protein...
10:30
High-throughput Analysis of Locomotor Behavior in the Drosophila Island Assay
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Cited by 10 •
2017
The island assay is a relatively new, cost-effective assay that can be used to evaluate the basic locomotor behavior of Drosophila melanogaster. This manuscript describes algorithms for automatic data processing and objective quantification of island assay data, making this assay a sensitive, high-throughput readout for large genetic or pharmacological screens.
FAQs
The key distinction is the evolutionary event behind each relationship. Orthologs reflect lineage splitting, whereas paralogs result from gene duplication. This difference matters because duplicated genes can occupy different functional roles, so treating paralogs as direct cross-species counterparts may produce misleading annotations or comparisons. Separating the two relationships improves the interpretation of comparative genomic evidence.
Sequence conservation provides one clue when researchers compare candidate genes across species, but it is not sufficient by itself. Shared genomic context, meaning conservation of surrounding gene arrangement, offers additional support for identifying corresponding genes. Because mutations can accumulate after lineages diverge, strong sequence or context evidence should be interpreted alongside possible functional changes.
Mutations accumulated after speciation can alter the function of corresponding genes without eliminating their evolutionary relationship. Consequently, researchers should not assume that sequence similarity guarantees identical biological activity. Examining these differences helps separate conserved features from lineage-specific changes and supports more careful conclusions about gene function in comparative biology.
A practical comparison begins by examining corresponding genes in the species of interest, then evaluating sequence conservation and shared genomic context. Researchers should also test whether the relationship is better explained by speciation or by gene duplication, which would indicate a paralogous connection. The resulting classification can improve genome annotation and downstream functional studies.
Researchers compare orthologous genes among organisms to determine whether a model species contains a relevant counterpart to a gene under study. Conservation can support the choice of an organism for investigating gene function, while observed sequence or functional differences may identify limitations. This approach connects evolutionary relationships with experimental planning in biology.
Comparing disease-associated genes with their counterparts in other species can clarify evolutionary conservation and guide interpretation of gene function. The comparison is most informative when researchers distinguish orthologs from paralogs and consider changes that may have altered activity. These analyses support comparative studies of disease-related biology and more accurate genome annotation.