Evolution and implications of de novo genes in humans

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Item Type:	Review
Title:	Evolution and implications of de novo genes in humans
Creators Name:	Broeils, L.A., Ruiz-Orera, J., Snel, B., Hubner, N. and van Heesch, S.
Abstract:	Genes and translated open reading frames (ORFs) that emerged de novo from previously non-coding sequences provide species with opportunities for adaptation. When aberrantly activated, some human-specific de novo genes and ORFs have disease-promoting properties-for instance, driving tumour growth. Thousands of putative de novo coding sequences have been described in humans, but we still do not know what fraction of those ORFs has readily acquired a function. Here, we discuss the challenges and controversies surrounding the detection, mechanisms of origin, annotation, validation and characterization of de novo genes and ORFs. Through manual curation of literature and databases, we provide a thorough table with most de novo genes reported for humans to date. We re-evaluate each locus by tracing the enabling mutations and list proposed disease associations, protein characteristics and supporting evidence for translation and protein detection. This work will support future explorations of de novo genes and ORFs in humans.
Keywords:	Evolutionary Biology, Evolutionary Genetics, Genetic Databases
Source:	Nature Ecology & Evolution
ISSN:	2397-334X
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
Volume:	7
Number:	6
Page Range:	804-815
Date:	June 2023
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02014-y
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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