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Special Issue: Repetitive DNA Sequences.

Sarah E Lower^1,2, Anne-Marie Dion-Côté^2,3, Andrew G Clark²

¹Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA.

|November 9, 2019

Summary

Repetitive DNAs, abundant in eukaryotic genomes, are now analyzable with new tech. Their roles in genome evolution range from essential structures to selfish elements driving host defenses.

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Area of Science:

Genomics
Molecular Biology
Evolutionary Biology

Background:

Repetitive DNAs, including transposable elements and satellite DNAs, are major components of eukaryotic genomes.
Historically, technical challenges have limited the study of repetitive DNA, despite their abundance.
Recent technological advancements enable comprehensive analysis of repetitive DNA across various species.

Discussion:

Repetitive DNAs play crucial roles in genome architecture, forming essential structures like telomeres and centromeres.
Some repetitive elements, such as those in piRNA clusters, are under purifying selection for genome regulation.
Selfish repetitive elements can conflict with host genomes, driving the evolution of host defense mechanisms.

Key Insights:

The majority of repetitive DNA likely accumulates neutrally through transposition and replication errors.

Keywords:

genome evolution genomic conflict heterochromatin repetitive DNA transposable element

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Even neutral repetitive DNA can indirectly influence genome evolution due to their high copy numbers.

Analyzing repetitive DNA provides insights into diverse modes of genome evolution and genetic conflicts.

Outlook:

Future research will leverage new technologies to further explore the functional and evolutionary significance of repetitive DNAs.
Understanding repetitive DNA dynamics is key to deciphering complex eukaryotic genome evolution.
This field holds potential for discovering novel mechanisms of genome regulation and adaptation.