NeoDarwinian Review

The origin of life remains an enduring enigma, captivating scientists for centuries. Among the various hypotheses vying for explanation, two prominent contenders stand out: the " genetics-first " and " metabolism-first " scenarios. While the former posits self-replicating molecules like RNA as the initial spark, the latter proposes that self-sustaining metabolic networks preceded replicating molecules. While the "metabolism-first" scenario offers an intriguing alternative explanation, a recent study highlights a critical limitation – the potential lack of evolvability in such networks, potentially hindering its viability. Evolvability : a cornerstone of life as we know it, refers to a system's inherent ability to undergo heritable changes that lead to improved characteristics over time. This process, driven by natural selection , allows organisms to adapt to changing environments and become more complex over generations. However, the resea...

Beyond their captivating presence in the genome, protein-coding genes' retrocopies , the unexpected offspring of a cellular process called retroposition , paint a fascinating picture of genomic dynamism. While not all retrocopies escape the shadowy realm of inactivity, a significant portion rise to the occasion, transforming into retrogenes and acquiring a diverse repertoire of functions. This transformation can take various paths, enriching the genomic landscape with novel elements and contributing to the intricate symphony of life. A Spectrum of Functionalities: Unlike their protein-coding parents, retrogenes can play various roles , demonstrating a remarkable degree of adaptability . Some retrogenes maintain their ancestral skillset, continuing to encode functional proteins . In some cases, these proteins may exhibit slight variations, subtly altering their original function, a process known as subfunctionalization .  However, the story doesn't end there. Some r...

The intricate world of genetics harbors fascinating elements, each playing a crucial role in the symphony of life. Among these are transposable elements (TEs), often referred to as "jumping genes" or “Junk DNA” due to their remarkable ability to move within and sometimes between the genomes of organisms. This inherent dynamism of TEs holds immense significance, impacting various aspects of evolution, including genome structure, gene regulation, and even speciation. Within this intricate tapestry, a captivating phenomenon emerges – bursts of transposition. As this journal article aptly points out, bursts of transposition represent a sudden and rapid increase in the copy number of one or several TE families within a genome. This signifies a period of heightened activity where TEs are mobilizing and inserting themselves at various locations. This phenomenon, though seemingly chaotic, holds immense biological significance and warrants closer examination. Understand...