{"title":"路径级收敛:收敛进化的一个未被充分探索的方面。","authors":"Peter K Hoitinga, Siri Birkeland","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.06.009","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The extent to which evolution is repeatable at the genetic level remains a central question in biology. Convergent adaptations can arise through mutations in homologous genes, changes in different genes within the same pathways, or distinct molecular routes. Most research has focused on gene-level convergence, whereas relatively little is known about the prevalence of pathway-level convergence. Here, we synthesize theoretical perspectives on pathway-level convergence, focusing on how genetic complexity of a trait and divergence time between taxa shape the likelihood of convergence at the pathway versus gene level. We highlight methodological considerations and argue that integration with systems biology is critical for advancing the field. We aim to stimulate more hypothesis-driven research into the mechanisms and prevalence of pathway-level convergence.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"853-867"},"PeriodicalIF":16.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":"{\"title\":\"Pathway-level convergence: an underexplored aspect of convergent evolution.\",\"authors\":\"Peter K Hoitinga, Siri Birkeland\",\"doi\":\"10.1016/j.tig.2025.06.009\",\"DOIUrl\":null,\"url\":null,\"abstract\":\"<p><p>The extent to which evolution is repeatable at the genetic level remains a central question in biology. Convergent adaptations can arise through mutations in homologous genes, changes in different genes within the same pathways, or distinct molecular routes. Most research has focused on gene-level convergence, whereas relatively little is known about the prevalence of pathway-level convergence. Here, we synthesize theoretical perspectives on pathway-level convergence, focusing on how genetic complexity of a trait and divergence time between taxa shape the likelihood of convergence at the pathway versus gene level. We highlight methodological considerations and argue that integration with systems biology is critical for advancing the field. We aim to stimulate more hypothesis-driven research into the mechanisms and prevalence of pathway-level convergence.</p>\",\"PeriodicalId\":54413,\"journal\":{\"name\":\"Trends in Genetics\",\"volume\":\" \",\"pages\":\"853-867\"},\"PeriodicalIF\":16.3000,\"publicationDate\":\"2025-10-01\",\"publicationTypes\":\"Journal Article\",\"fieldsOfStudy\":null,\"isOpenAccess\":false,\"openAccessPdf\":\"\",\"citationCount\":\"0\",\"resultStr\":null,\"platform\":\"Semanticscholar\",\"paperid\":null,\"PeriodicalName\":\"Trends in Genetics\",\"FirstCategoryId\":\"99\",\"ListUrlMain\":\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2025.06.009\",\"RegionNum\":2,\"RegionCategory\":\"生物学\",\"ArticlePicture\":[],\"TitleCN\":null,\"AbstractTextCN\":null,\"PMCID\":null,\"EPubDate\":\"2025/7/29 0:00:00\",\"PubModel\":\"Epub\",\"JCR\":\"Q1\",\"JCRName\":\"GENETICS & HEREDITY\",\"Score\":null,\"Total\":0}","platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Trends in Genetics","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2025.06.009","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/7/29 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"GENETICS & HEREDITY","Score":null,"Total":0}
Pathway-level convergence: an underexplored aspect of convergent evolution.
The extent to which evolution is repeatable at the genetic level remains a central question in biology. Convergent adaptations can arise through mutations in homologous genes, changes in different genes within the same pathways, or distinct molecular routes. Most research has focused on gene-level convergence, whereas relatively little is known about the prevalence of pathway-level convergence. Here, we synthesize theoretical perspectives on pathway-level convergence, focusing on how genetic complexity of a trait and divergence time between taxa shape the likelihood of convergence at the pathway versus gene level. We highlight methodological considerations and argue that integration with systems biology is critical for advancing the field. We aim to stimulate more hypothesis-driven research into the mechanisms and prevalence of pathway-level convergence.
期刊介绍:
Launched in 1985, Trends in Genetics swiftly established itself as a "must-read" for geneticists, offering concise, accessible articles covering a spectrum of topics from developmental biology to evolution. This reputation endures, making TiG a cherished resource in the genetic research community. While evolving with the field, the journal now embraces new areas like genomics, epigenetics, and computational genetics, alongside its continued coverage of traditional subjects such as transcriptional regulation, population genetics, and chromosome biology.
Despite expanding its scope, the core objective of TiG remains steadfast: to furnish researchers and students with high-quality, innovative reviews, commentaries, and discussions, fostering an appreciation for advances in genetic research. Each issue of TiG presents lively and up-to-date Reviews and Opinions, alongside shorter articles like Science & Society and Spotlight pieces. Invited from leading researchers, Reviews objectively chronicle recent developments, Opinions provide a forum for debate and hypothesis, and shorter articles explore the intersection of genetics with science and policy, as well as emerging ideas in the field. All articles undergo rigorous peer-review.