Table of contents
December 2008 Vol 9 No 12
From the editors
p891 | doi:10.1038/nrg2490
Research Highlights
Human genomics: Towards an individual view | PDF (172 KB)
p893 | doi:10.1038/nrg2491
Evo–devo: Modelling the evolutionarily possible | PDF (141 KB)
p894 | doi:10.1038/nrg2493
RNA splicing: Counting, coordinating and controlling the alternatives | PDF (148 KB)
p894 | doi:10.1038/nrg2494
In brief
Synthetic biology | Technology | Epigenomics | Gene regulation | PDF (127 KB)
p895 | doi:10.1038/nrg2497
Technology: Computing in a cell | PDF (157 KB)
p896 | doi:10.1038/nrg2486
Statistical genetics: Fitting phenotypes | PDF (175 KB)
p896 | doi:10.1038/nrg2495
Gene networks: Network analysis gets dynamic | PDF (162 KB)
p897 | doi:10.1038/nrg2496
RNA World: Antisense transcripts get involved | PDF (220 KB)
p898 | doi:10.1038/nrg2492
In brief
Human disease | Epigenetics | Complex disease | Epigenetics | PDF (127 KB)
p898 | doi:10.1038/nrg2498
Reviews
Emerging roles for centromeres in meiosis I chromosome segregation
Gloria A. Brar & Angelika Amon
p899 | doi:10.1038/nrg2454
Although centromeres are generally known for their involvement in attaching chromosomes to microtubules, more diverse roles for these chromosomal regions are now becoming clear. Recent evidence implicates centromeres as central to crucial steps in meiotic chromosome segregation.
Sex-specific genetic architecture of human disease
Carole Ober, Dagan A. Loisel & Yoav Gilad
p911 | doi:10.1038/nrg2415
It is increasingly clear that genetic factors contribute to the different manifestation of human diseases between males and females. Genotype-by-sex interactions on disease risk might be common in humans; ignoring such effects in searches for disease-associated genes may result in important loci being missed.
Epigenetic regulation of centromeric chromatin: old dogs, new tricks?
Robin C. Allshire & Gary H. Karpen
p923 | doi:10.1038/nrg2466
The correct location and structure of centromeric chromatin is essential for accurate chromosome segregation. This Review brings together recent findings relating to the centromeric histone H3 variant, CENP-A, and discusses possible models for the establishment and propagation of centromeric chromatin.
Turning a hobby into a job: How duplicated genes find new functions
Gavin C. Conant & Kenneth H. Wolfe
p938 | doi:10.1038/nrg2482
Recent studies have advanced our understanding of gene classes that tend to undergo duplication, and how natural selection acts on them. The co-option of pre-existing, secondary protein functions is emerging as a widespread feature in the evolution of genetic novelty through gene duplication.
The evolution of animal chemosensory receptor gene repertoires: roles of chance and necessity
Masatoshi Nei, Yoshihito Niimura & Masafumi Nozawa
p951 | doi:10.1038/nrg2480
Recent studies have shown that there is enormous variation in the number of chemosensory receptor genes among the genomes of different organisms. Much of the variation can be explained by adaptation, but random duplication and deletion of genes also have important roles.
Perspective
Opinion
Neutralism and selectionism: a network-based reconciliation
Andreas Wagner
p965 | doi:10.1038/nrg2473
Selectionists and neutralists invoke different theories to explain the emergence of evolutionary innovation. Our recent understanding of molecular phenotypes makes it possible to reconcile these two views by proposing that neutral variants prepare the ground for adaptive mutations to occur.
