Gene duplication: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:00, 7 December 2004

Revision as of 03:16, 31 December 2004

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The two genes that exists after a [[gene duplication]] event are paralogs. Paralogs usually code for [[protein]]s with different function and/or structure as stated above. This is opposed to orthologous genes that code for proteins with similar function but that exists in different species. Orthologs are created from a [[speciation]] event. (See [[Homology (biology)#Homology of sequences in genetics|Homology of sequences in genetics]])

It is important (but often hard) doto differentiate between paralogs and orthologs in biological research. Experiments on human gene function can often be carried out on other [[species]] if a homolog to a human gene can be found in the [[genome]] of that species. But only if the homolog is orthologous. If they are paralogs and resulted from a [[gene duplication]] event their function is probably too different.

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