[an error occurred while processing this directive]

HEREDITAS(Beijing) ›› 2015, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (6): 544-553.doi: 10.16288/j.yczz.14-392

• Reviews • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Advances in lineage-specific genes

Huanping Zhang1, 2, Tongming Yin2   

  1. 1. College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China;
    2. Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
  • Received:2014-11-13 Revised:2015-02-20 Online:2015-06-20 Published:2015-03-16

Abstract: Lineage-specific genes (LSGs) are defined as genes found in one particular taxonomic group but have no significant sequence similarity with genes from other lineages, which compose about 10%?20% of the total genes in the genome of a focal organism. LSGs were first uncovered in the yeast genome in 1996. The development of the whole genome sequencing leads to the emergence of studies on LSGs as a hot topic in comparative genomics. LSGs have been extensively studied on microbial species, lower marine organisms, plant (such as Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Populus), insects, primate, etc; the biological functions of LSGs are important to clarify the evolution and adaptability of a species. In this review, we summarize the progress of LSGs studies, including LSGs identification, gene characterization, origin and evolution of LSGs, biological function, and expression analysis of LSGs. In addition, we discuss the existing problems and future directions for studies in this area. Our purpose is to provide some unique insights into the researches of LSGs.

Key words: lineage-specific genes, orphan genes, origin and evolution of LSGs, biological function of LSGs