撰文丨王聪 编辑丨王多鱼 排版丨水成文 基因的出现归因于多种过程，包括基因复制 - 趋异、转座元件驯化、水平基因转移、基因融合与分裂以及从非编码序列中从头起源。尽管从头起源曾被视为罕见 现象，但新出现的证据表明其发生频率相当高。然而，仅有少数研究报道了通过多个进化步骤从零开始构建基因的情况。此外，对于这些新形成的基因如何实现 增强表达并融入现有的基因调控网络从而影响表型进化，我们的理解仍然有限。 | 2025 年 | 9 月 | 2 日， | 华中农业大学 | | 宁国贵 | 教授团队 | （ | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 李亚军 | | 、 | | 李润慧 | 、 尚均忠 | | 、 | 赵凯歌 | | | 为共同第一作者 | | | | ） | 在国际顶尖学术期刊 | Cell | 上发表了题 | | | | 为： | | A | | de novo | | -originated gene drives rose scent diversification | | | 的研究论 | | 文。 | ...

Group 1 - The research team from the University of California, Davis, has discovered two genes related to human brain characteristics and established a systematic research framework to explore more related genes [1][2] - The study utilized the complete human genome map created by the "Telomere to Telomere" (T2T) consortium, identifying approximately 250 candidate gene families that are actively expressed in the brain, verified across all human individuals, and highly conserved [2] - The specific functions of the two identified genes, GPR89B and FRMPD2B, were confirmed through zebrafish model experiments, with GPR89B regulating brain size and FRMPD2B involved in synaptic signaling [2] Group 2 - The findings fill a gap in the research of genomic repeat sequences and provide critical targets for the precise screening of gene mutations associated with language deficits and autism [2] - The constructed dataset from this research is expected to become an important resource for the scientific community, aiding in the understanding of brain evolution and neurodevelopmental diseases [2] - The role of these genes in the formation of unique human brain characteristics offers key insights for future treatments of related diseases through the in-depth analysis of this "genomic dark matter" [2]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a significant global research study that reveals the genetic basis of adaptive radiation and social evolution in ants, highlighting their complex social structures and evolutionary history [2][12]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study, involving a collaboration of multiple institutions, analyzed the whole genome data of 163 different ant species, reconstructing the phylogenetic tree of the Formicidae family, tracing their common ancestor back to approximately 157 million years ago during the late Jurassic period [2][4]. - Significant gene family expansions related to olfactory perception were found in the genome of the common ancestor of ants, indicating the presence of key molecular mechanisms for social communication [4][8]. - The research identified a high rate of chromosomal rearrangements in ants, particularly in species with rich diversity, showing a significant positive correlation between chromosomal rearrangement rates and species diversity [6][7]. Group 2: Evolutionary Mechanisms - The evolution of ant social traits is regulated by a set of highly conserved signaling pathways, including juvenile hormone, MAPK, and insulin pathways, which play crucial roles in determining individual identities such as the differentiation between queens and workers [8][9]. - Different ant species exhibit variations in the mechanisms of these signaling pathways, reflecting adaptive evolution under natural selection, particularly in social complexity [9][12]. - The study emphasizes that the evolution of ant social structures is influenced by the interaction between various phenotypic traits and life history characteristics, with key factors being colony size and the degree of differentiation between queens and workers [9][12]. Group 3: Implications and Future Research - The research provides insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of social traits in ants, establishing functional links between candidate genes and social characteristics [12][13]. - The findings open avenues for further exploration of intriguing questions regarding ant biology, such as the longevity of queens and the rapid evolution of ant karyotypes [13][16]. - The study highlights the correlation between genomic evolution and the radiation of ant species, suggesting a co-evolution of gene networks and social traits that drive the diversity of ant species and their social behaviors [13][14].

Core Findings - The "Southeast Asian Population Genomics Project" (SEA3K) has revealed the complex genetic structure and evolutionary history of Southeast Asian populations, filling a significant gap in global genomics [1][2] - The project involved collaboration among 34 research teams from multiple Southeast Asian countries, resulting in the collection of samples from over 30 locations and the completion of 3023 whole genome sequences [1][2] Genetic Structure and Adaptation - The analysis of SEA3K data has shown that the genetic structure of most Southeast Asian populations aligns more closely with their geographical distribution rather than linguistic classification, indicating that geographical isolation has played a key role in population differentiation [2] - Key genes related to adaptation to tropical rainforest environments have been identified, highlighting unique evolutionary strategies of Southeast Asian populations in response to their environment [2] Historical Insights - The research uncovered evidence of multiple gene flow events between Southeast Asian populations and the extinct Denisovans, suggesting that Denisovans may have been widely distributed in East Asia during the Paleolithic era and interacted with modern humans in Southeast Asia [2] Future Initiatives - The Chinese Academy of Sciences has officially launched the second phase of the Southeast Asian Human Genome Project (SEA10K) in collaboration with international partners [4]