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Synexpression groups in eukaryotes

Nature volume 402, pages 483–487 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

In 1960, Jacob and Monod described the bacterial operon, a cluster of functionally interacting genes whose expression is tightly coordinated. Global expression analysis has shown that the highly coordinate expression of genes functioning in common processes is also a widespread phenomenon in eukaryotes. These sets of co-regulated genes, or ‘synexpression groups’, show a striking parallel to the operon, and may be a key determinant facilitating evolutionary change leading to animal diversity.

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Figure 1: Identification of synexpression groups.
Figure 2: Synexpression groups.
Figure 3: Adapative advantages of synexpression groups.

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Acknowledgements

We thank D. Duboule and W. Pyerin for critical reading of the manuscript.

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  1. Division of Molecular Embryology, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg, D-69120, Germany

    Christof Niehrs & Nicolas Pollet

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  1. Christof Niehrs
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Niehrs, C., Pollet, N. Synexpression groups in eukaryotes. Nature 402, 483–487 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/990025

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