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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Background selection under evolving recombination rates.

Tom R Booker¹, Bret A Payseur², Anna Tigano³

¹Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Campus, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Proceedings. Biological Sciences

|June 22, 2022

Summary

Recombination rate evolution alters background selection (BGS) effects, mimicking changes in population size. This can skew estimates of genome-wide selection, as seen in house mice.

Keywords:

Mus musculus background selection chromosomal rearrangements evolutionary genetics recombination rate

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary genetics
Population genetics
Genomics

Background:

Background selection (BGS) is a key evolutionary process shaping eukaryotic genomes.
BGS is influenced by mutation rates, selection, and recombination.
Current BGS models assume constant recombination rates, which is often violated in nature.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of evolving recombination rates on genetic variation under BGS.
To understand how recombination rate evolution affects inferences of selection.
To examine evidence of recombination rate evolution's impact in house mice.

Main Methods:

Theoretical modeling of BGS with evolving recombination rates.
Simulations to assess the effects on genetic variation.
Analysis of genomic data from house mice.

Main Results:

Recombination rate evolution modifies BGS effects, similar to changes in effective population size.
This modification can lead to over- or underestimation of genome-wide selection.
Evidence suggests recombination rate evolution impacted selection inferences in house mouse ancestors.

Conclusions:

Recombination rate evolution is a critical factor to consider in BGS studies.
Ignoring recombination rate evolution can lead to inaccurate conclusions about selection.
Future studies should account for recombination rate dynamics for precise genomic analyses.