Origin and spread of de novo genes in Drosophila melanogaster populations.
Comparative genomic analyses have revealed that genes may arise from ancestrally nongenic sequence. However, the origin and spread of these de novo genes within populations remain obscure. We identified 142 segregating and 106 fixed testis-expressed de novo genes in a population sample of Drosophila melanogaster. These genes appear to derive primarily from ancestral intergenic, unexpressed open reading frames, with natural selection playing a significant role in their spread. These results reveal a heretofore unappreciated dynamism of gene content.
Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Li
L
Zhao
Perot
P
Saelao
Corbin D
CD
Jones
David J
DJ
Begun
D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017344:Genes, Insect; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D008297:Male; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism