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The evolution of self-regulated transposition of transposable elements.
Genetics
|February 1, 1986
Summary
Self-regulated transposition evolves readily in hosts with low recombination rates, like bacteria. Evolution is more restricted in organisms with high recombination, requiring significant deleterious mutation impacts.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Transposable elements (TEs) can cause mutations, potentially harming hosts.
- Regulation of TE transposition is crucial for host genome stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze conditions favoring the evolution of self-regulated transposition rates.
- To investigate both cis-acting and trans-acting regulatory mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Modeling the evolution of transposition regulation.
- Analyzing selective advantages derived from mutation load.
Main Results:
- Self-regulation evolves easily in low-recombination hosts (e.g., bacteria).
- High-recombination hosts require substantial negative fitness effects from transposition for regulation to evolve.
- Evidence from Drosophila and maize supports these conditions.
Conclusions:
- TE regulation is favored by low recombination rates and significant mutation costs.
- Germline-specific transposition and somatic excision enhance regulatory evolution.