Nuclear gene
A nuclear gene is a gene that has its DNA nucleotide sequence physically situated within the cell nucleus of a eukaryotic organism. This term is employed to differentiate nuclear genes, which are located in the cell nucleus, from genes that are found in mitochondria or chloroplasts. The vast majority of genes in eukaryotes are nuclear.
Endosymbiotic theory
Mitochondria and
Endosymbiotic organelle interactions
Though separated from one another within the cell, nuclear genes and those of mitochondria and chloroplasts can affect each other in a number of ways. Nuclear genes play major roles in the expression of chloroplast genes and mitochondrial genes.[4] Additionally, gene products of mitochondria can themselves affect the expression of genes within the cell nucleus.[5] This can be done through metabolites as well as through certain peptides trans-locating from the mitochondria to the nucleus, where they can then affect gene expression.[6][7][8]
Structure
Eukaryotic genomes have distinct higher-order
Protein synthesis
The majority of proteins in a cell are the product of messenger RNA
Significance
Many nuclear-derived transcription factors have played a role in respiratory chain expression. These factors may have also contributed to the regulation of mitochondrial functions.
The studying of gene sequences for the purpose of speciation and determining genetic similarity is just one of the many uses of modern day genetics, and the role that both types of genes have in that process is important. Though both nuclear genes and those within endosymbiotic organelles provide the genetic makeup of an organism, there are distinct features that can be better observed when looking at one compared to the other. Mitochondrial DNA is useful in the study of speciation as it tends to be the first to evolve in the development of a new species, which is different from nuclear genes' chromosomes that can be examined and analyzed individually, each giving its own potential answer as to the speciation of a relatively recently evolved organism.[12]
Low-copy nuclear genes in plants are valuable for improving phylogenetic reconstructions, especially when universal markers like Chloroplast DNA, or cpDNA and Nuclear ribosomal DNA, or nrDNA fall short. Challenges in using these genes include limited universal markers and the complexity of gene families. Nonetheless, they are essential for resolving close species relationships and understanding plant phylogenetic studies. While using low-copy nuclear genes requires additional lab work, advances in sequencing and cloning techniques have made it more accessible. Fast-evolving introns in these genes can offer crucial phylogenetic insights near species boundaries. This approach, along with the analysis of developmentally important genes, enhances the study of plant diversity and evolution.[13]
As nuclear genes are the genetic basis of all eukaryotic organisms, anything that can affect their expression therefore directly affects characteristics about that organism on a cellular level. The interactions between the genes of endosymbiotic organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts are just a few of the many factors that can act on the nuclear genome.
References
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- ^ Griffiths AJ, Gelbart WM, Miller JH, Lewontin RC (1999). "DNA Replication". Modern Genetic Analysis. New York: W. H. Freeman.
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