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Exploring phenotype space through neutral evolution

¹Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS-K710, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.

Journal of Molecular Evolution

|September 1, 1996

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Neutral evolution allows RNA sequences to explore many structures via neutral paths, suggesting a role in adaptation. This highlights how neutral genetic drift can drive evolutionary innovation in RNA secondary structures.

Area of Science:

Computational Biology
Molecular Biology
Evolutionary Biology

Background:

RNA secondary structure folding algorithms reveal networks of sequences with identical structures.
RNA sequence-structure mapping results in fitness landscapes with numerous neutral paths.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the implications of neutral paths in RNA sequence-structure fitness landscapes.
To explore the role of neutral evolution in exploring phenotype space and adaptation.

Main Methods:

Analysis of RNA secondary-structure folding algorithms.
Examination of fitness landscapes based on RNA sequence and secondary structure.
Concept of neutral walks on fitness landscapes.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

Identified connected networks of RNA sequences sharing identical secondary structures.
Demonstrated that neutral walks provide access to numerous secondary structures via single point mutations.
Highlighted the extensive exploration of phenotype space through neutral evolution.

Conclusions:

Neutral evolution on RNA fitness landscapes facilitates exploration of diverse secondary structures.
Neutral pathways are crucial for accessing a wide range of phenotypes and contribute to adaptation.