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The evolution of molecular genetic pathways and networks
Author(s) -
Cork Jennifer M.,
Purugganan Michael D.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.20026
Subject(s) - robustness (evolution) , evolutionary dynamics , biology , evolutionary biology , gene regulatory network , molecular evolution , genetic network , phenotype , gene , computational biology , topology (electrical circuits) , genetics , genome , gene expression , population , demography , mathematics , combinatorics , sociology
There is growing interest in the evolutionary dynamics of molecular genetic pathways and networks, and the extent to which the molecular evolution of a gene depends on its position within a pathway or network, as well as over‐all network topology. Investigations on the relationships between network organization, topological architecture and evolutionary dynamics provide intriguing hints as to how networks evolve. Recent studies also suggest that genetic pathway and network structures may influence the action of evolutionary forces, and may play a role in maintaining phenotypic robustness in organisms. BioEssays 26:479–484, 2004. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.