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The genome strikes back: The evolutionary importance of defence against mobile elements

Johnson, L. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0006-1511 (2007) The genome strikes back: The evolutionary importance of defence against mobile elements. Evolutionary Biology, 34 (3-4). pp. 121-129. ISSN 0071-3260

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To link to this item DOI: 10.1007/s11692-007-9012-5

Abstract/Summary

Increasingly, we regard the genome as a site and source of genetic conflict. This fascinating 'bottom-up' view brings up appealing connections between genome biology and whole-organism ecology, in which populations of elements compete with one another in their genomic habitat. Unlike other habitats, though, a host genome has its own evolutionary interests and is often able to defend itself against molecular parasites. Most well-studied organisms employ strategies to protect their genomes against the harmful effects of genomic parasites, including methylation, various pathways of RNA interference, and more unusual tricks such as repeat induced point-mutation (RIP). These genome defence systems are not obscure biological curiosities, but fundamentally important to the integrity and cohesion of the genome, and exert a powerful influence on genome evolution.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences
ID Code:10025
Uncontrolled Keywords:transposable elements, intragenomic conflict, epigenetics, evolution of, genetic systems, INDUCED POINT MUTATION, P-TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENT, DNA METHYLATION, NEUROSPORA-CRASSA, REPETITIVE DNA, SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE, ARABIDOPSIS-THALIANA, POPULATION-GENETICS, SELFISH DNA, DROSOPHILA

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