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Related Experiment Videos

The dynamics of maternal-effect selfish genetic elements

N G Smith1

  • 1Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, U.K.

Journal of Theoretical Biology
|June 19, 1998
PubMed
Summary
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Maternal-effect selfish genes can be outcompeted by a new insensitive allele, potentially leading to the loss of the selfish gene. Fitness compensation in mammals, unlike in insects, favors the spread and persistence of these selfish genetic elements.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary genetics
  • Population genetics
  • Gene drive dynamics

Background:

  • Maternal-effect selfish genes (e.g., Medea, Scat) eliminate progeny lacking the maternal allele.
  • Existing models predict broad invasion conditions and high-frequency equilibrium for selfish alleles.
  • These models assume only two alleles: selfish (killer) and sensitive (wild-type).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of a third, insensitive allele on maternal-effect selfish gene dynamics.
  • To explore conditions under which the insensitive allele can lead to the fixation of the wild-type allele (reversible evolution).
  • To compare the evolutionary trajectories of selfish genes in populations with and without fitness compensation.

Main Methods:

  • Mathematical modeling of population genetics incorporating three alleles: killer, sensitive, and insensitive.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of invasion conditions and equilibrium frequencies under varying parameter values.
  • Simulation of gene drive dynamics in the presence and absence of fitness compensation.

    • Main Results:

    • The introduction of an insensitive allele can lead to reversible evolution, resulting in wild-type fixation, especially without fitness compensation.
    • In the absence of fitness compensation (e.g., insects), selfish genes require a finite initial frequency to spread and may be lost due to fitness costs.
    • With fitness compensation (e.g., placental mammals), selfish genes can invade from low frequencies, leading to stable coexistence or limit cycles of all three alleles.

    Conclusions:

    • The presence of an insensitive allele significantly alters selfish gene dynamics, potentially leading to their elimination.
    • Fitness compensation mechanisms, prevalent in mammals, enhance the spread and persistence of maternal-effect selfish genes compared to organisms like insects.
    • Understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting the evolution of gene drive systems and their potential applications.