The evolutionary role of mutational robustness: theoretical insights

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Theoretical biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Mutational robustness, the ability to maintain a stable phenotype despite genetic mutations, is crucial for adaptive evolution.
• Existing models for robustness evolution and its impact on adaptation vary widely in approach and assumptions, hindering synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To categorize and critically discuss various modeling approaches for mutational robustness.
• To synthesize current understanding of how robustness evolves and influences adaptive evolution.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of existing models based on their assumptions and approaches.
• Critical discussion of how biological organization and selection shape robustness.
• Analysis of robustness's impact on evolvability, including cryptic genetic variation.

Main Results:

• Robustness can emerge from biological organization (e.g., modularity, critical dynamics) and selection (e.g., stabilizing selection).
• Mutational robustness can both enhance and constrain evolvability, notably through cryptic genetic variation (CGV).

Conclusions:

• A clear synthesis of modeling approaches is needed to understand robustness.
• Challenges include model complexity and computational cost.
• Outstanding questions remain regarding the evolution and consequences of mutational robustness.