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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
07:47
Microscopy of Fission Yeast Sexual Lifecycle
Published on: March 9, 2016
Mobile genetic elements and sexual reproduction
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. arkhipov@fas.harvard.edu
Cytogenetic and Genome Research
|August 12, 2005
Summary
Transposable elements (TEs) contribute to the mutation load, potentially explaining why ancient asexual species lack deleterious retrotransposons. This suggests TEs are crucial for maintaining sexual reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Transposable elements (TEs) are significant components of eukaryotic genomes.
- TEs may influence the origin and maintenance of sexual reproduction.
- TEs contribute to the deleterious mutation load.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of different TE classes in the deleterious mutation load.
- To compare TE content in sexually reproducing versus anciently asexual species.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomic analysis of TE content.
- Analysis of TE classes in different reproductive strategies.
Main Results:
- Ancient asexual species appear to lack deleterious retrotransposons.
- This absence supports the hypothesis of TEs' role in maintaining sexual reproduction.
Conclusions:
- Transposable elements may play a critical role in the maintenance of sexual reproduction.
- The presence or absence of TEs might influence species longevity after abandoning sex.
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