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Origin of mutations under selection: the adaptive mutation controversy
John R Roth1, Elisabeth Kugelberg, Andrew B Reams
1Microbiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA. jrroth@ucdavis.edu
Annual Review of Microbiology
|June 10, 2006
Summary
Selection can either create new mutations or favor existing ones. Understanding this distinction is key to resolving the adaptive mutation controversy in microbial genetics and understanding evolutionary processes.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Microbial genetics
Background:
- Selection drives the predominance of new genotypes in populations.
- Distinguishing between selection-induced mutation formation and selection of pre-existing mutants is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the dual role of selection in mutation dynamics.
- To resolve the ongoing adaptive mutation controversy.
Main Methods:
- Analyzing selection in microbial genetics for detecting pre-existing mutants.
- Examining selection in natural populations acting on growing cells with slight growth improvements.
Main Results:
- Selection in microbial genetics detects rare mutations with large phenotypic effects.
- Selection in natural populations detects common mutations with small growth improvements, leading to clonal expansion and further mutations.
Conclusions:
- The adaptive mutation controversy persists due to a lack of appreciation for the distinct mechanisms of selection.
- Recognizing these differences is crucial for understanding genotype evolution and processes like tumor progression.