Abstract
Current intergene distance is shown to be consistently the strongest predictor of synteny conservation as expected under a simple null model, and other variables are of lesser importance.
Highlights
Why do some groups of physically linked genes stay linked over long evolutionary periods? several factors are associated with the formation of gene clusters in eukaryotic genomes, the particular contribution of each feature to clustering maintenance remains unclear
A neutral model of gene order evolution While in principle a relationship between intergene distance and conservation rates of genes that are immediate neighbors seems reasonable, a problem in demonstrating this derives from the fact that intergene distance data that we can directly obtain from genome sequencing describe the situation after the process of evolution from an ancestor
If we assume that DNA is neither lost nor gained, a gene pair with a small intergene distance in S. cerevisiae may have a small distance either because the pair have always resided together and the intergene distance has not changed or because the pair came together following an inversion and this inversion just happened to bring with it a small intergene spacer
Summary
Several factors are associated with the formation of gene clusters in eukaryotic genomes, the particular contribution of each feature to clustering maintenance remains unclear. The precise location of genes in eukaryotic genomes was assumed to be largely random not so long ago [1]. This was motivated by the understanding that, unlike in bacteria, there need not be chromosomal domains associated with high rates of gene transcription. Recent studies in diverse eukaryotes challenge this initial intuition [3]. In all well studied eukaryotic genomes, genes of similar expression tend to cluster more commonly than expected by chance [3].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
