Scientists get insight into how new structures evolve

If evolution usually produces gradual changes, how does a completely new structure evolve? (Credit: immimagery) - An international team of researchers has discovered that a new mammalian gene evolved to control an equally new structure in our nerve cells. Evolution is often portrayed as a -tinkering- process, one that makes use of slight modifications to pre-existing capabilities. So how do organisms evolve brand new structures? A new study by Dr Zsuzsanna Izsvák from the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) and Professor Laurence Hurst from the Milner Centre for Evolution at University of Bath (UK) found evidence that evolution of a new gene underpins the evolution of a new structure found in nerve cells. They describe this unusual gene called Piggy-back Transposable Element-derived 1, or PGBD1, in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution . Jumping genes- cause mutations. PGBD1 is highly active in some parts of brain, especially in cells that will become nerve cells. It is one of five related human genes that first entered an ancestor's DNA by being transferred from some other species (in a similar way that some viruses can enter our DNA).