The key difference between synteny and collinearity is that synteny is the physical co-localization of genetic loci on the same chromosome in species, while collinearity is the physical co-localization of genetic loci on the same chromosome in different species conserving the same order.
Synteny and collinearity are two terms that are used interchangeably in genomics. Both terms describe the gene localization patterns on chromosomes in different species. These related gene arrangements among the taxa are valuable information when inferring shared ancestry of genes. Synteny refers to the physical co-localization of genetic loci on the same chromosome in species. Collinearity refers to the physical co-localization of genetic loci on the same chromosome in different species conserving the same order. Therefore, it is a form of synteny.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Synteny
3. What is Collinearity
4. Similarities Between Synteny and Collinearity
5. Side by Side Comparison – Synteny vs Collinearity in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Synteny?
In different species, there is a set of genes located on the same chromosome. And, this physical co-localization of genes on the same chromosome in different species is known as synteny. Also, these genes are found very close to each other on a single chromosome. The order of the genes may not be necessarily the same. But, the localization of genes near each other on the same chromosome takes place in synteny. Therefore, synteny mainly describes the distribution pattern of genes on a chromosome. These patterns of gene co-localization indicate relationships between different species and their evolution. However, synteny can be disrupted due to chromosomal rearrangements such as translocations, inversion and chromosome fusion, etc. duplications, loss and unequal homologous recombination.
Figure 01: Synteny
It is believed that all linked genes are syntenic. However, not all syntenic genes are necessarily linked. They possess common chromosome sequences. Humans have many syntenic genes with other mammals. Moreover, many cereals have syntenic genes.
What is Collinearity?
Collinearity is a more specific form of synteny in which a set of genes are located on the same chromosome of different species in the same order as in the ancestral species. Therefore, if there is a deviation from collinearity, it will be a more reliable phylogenetic character since collinearity explains the shared ancestry of genes.
Figure 02: Collinearity
Multiway collinearity analysis provides much more reliable information about the related species and their phylogeny.
What are the Similarities Between Synteny and Collinearity?
- In both synteny and collinearity, a set of loci in two different species is located on the same chromosome.
- These terms describe the physical co-localization of genetic loci on the same chromosome.
- Collinearity is a more specific form of synteny.
- Sometimes both terms are used interchangeably in genomics.
- If two regions have collinearity, they are obviously syntenous.
- They are useful in inferring phylogeny.
What is the Difference Between Synteny and Collinearity?
Synteny and collinearity are two terms that are used interchangeably in genomics. Synteny refers to the physical co-localization of a set of genes in the same chromosome in different species. Collinearity is a form of synteny in which the set of genes are co-localized in the same order among the different species. Therefore, this is the key difference between synteny and collinearity.
Summary – Synteny vs Collinearity
The terms synteny and collinearity refer to a set of genes that are located on the same chromosome in different species. In fact, these genes are co-localized in the same chromosome in different species. Synteny describes the physical co-localization of set genes on the same chromosome in different species, while collinearity is a more specific form of synteny in which the set of genes are co-localized in the same order. Thus, this summarizes the difference between synteny and collinearity.