Gene conversion and evolution of gene families: An overview

Abstract

The importance of gene conversion for the evolution of gene families is reviewed. Four problems concerning gene conversion, i.e., concerted evolution, generation of useful variation, deleterious effects, and relation to neofunctionalization, are discussed by surveying reported examples of evolving gene families. Emphasis is given toward understanding interactive effects of gene conversion and natural selection. © 2010 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.