Duplication

Duplication is a type of mutation that occurs in genes and results in the doubling of the DNA sequence. Duplications can be either beneficial or harmful to the body, depending on which genes they affect. Typically, duplications increase the stability of the genome and increase its adaptive capabilities, but in some cases they can lead to serious consequences and cause genetic diseases or developmental defects.

Duplications are possible in various regions of the genome, but most often the gene regions that encode proteins with special functional activity are affected. In this case, the genome may include a different number of copies of a particular gene. There are two main mechanisms by which duplications occur, both of which are based on simple extension. If deformation of the entire gene occurs, then it is necessary to work with each of the sections, each of which must include a double set of nucleotides, and therefore a longer sequence as a whole. This is a very complex process, especially if there are many genes. It is much easier to take one of the genes as a sample and copy it without additional transformations. This is what ensures duplications - a rapid evolutionary leap directed from simple to more complex. Another thing is that, being the pinnacle of development, such a “revival” will not turn out to be anything good - new problems will appear. One of the simplest reactions (an error that has received the status of a compensatory strategy) that altered genes exhibit after the accumulation of DNA with duplications is called “unhealthy growth.” In this case, the “wrong” genes begin to grow, diverting the body’s resources for their development, and at the same time negatively impact the body as a whole, reducing its overall quality and vitality. Some mutationally altered proteins believe that disease is simply a manifestation of the absence of some necessary enzyme. And indeed, when these “manifestations” become too frequent or severe, the suffering body should think about removing or replacing these “frequent events.”

Biological processes involving gene duplication help cells adapt more quickly to environmental changes - this may be the result of natural selection. Genetic changes can occur as a result of stress or other factors. For example, gene duplication helps reduce the risk of disease by increasing the number of protective proteins. However, if the duplicated genes contain pathogenic mutations or blocking factors, they may increase the risk of developing the disease.

Basically, the duplication mechanism works to increase certain gene products or protein changes necessary for the survival of the organism. All other processes occur due to mutations, recombination and gene modification. These mechanisms are essential for maintaining species diversity and genetic functions for evolution. Thus, gene duplications play an important role in biology and evolution, and their study continues to identify potential molecular mechanisms of their effects on disease development and organismal fitness. However, more research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of duplication processes and to develop research methods in the field of human genetics.