New genes sweep clean

Article Abstract:

Research on DNA variation between the fly Drosophila melanogaster and the related species Drosophila simulans showed that intra-specific nucleotide site diversity for loci correlates positively with how often nucleotides are crossed-over in each gene's location. Researchers D.J. Begun and C.F. Aquadro also found no correlation between interspecies divergence and the coefficient of exchange. These findings support the idea of a hitch-hiker effect that spreads mutations through populations by variation at linked sites.

Genetic aspects, Evolution (Biology), Evolution, Mutation (Biology), Mutation, Variation (Biology)

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Endogenous proviruses as "mementos"?

Article Abstract:

Some observers have reservations about referring to the presence of vertically transmitted proviruses in the genomes of all mammals as 'mementos.' There are likely to be many additional 'random' insertions as parasites of this kind spread among the genome of a species. In many cases, these insertions will be linked with mutations which are eventually eliminated by natural selection. This means that the 'mementos' are the surviving insertions, which have only a limited impact on the fitness of the host.

Physiological aspects, Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc., Organ transplantation, Tissue transplantation, Transplantation

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The changing sizes of genes

Article Abstract:

The lengths of the genetic elements, rather than their numbers, may contribute to genome evolution. Rapid elimination of non-essential DNA occurs in the Drosophila. This occurs because transposable elements that lack long terminal repeats and transpose through reverse transcription of RNA are susceptible to truncation of their 5' terminals during transposition. The high rate of deletions result in the Drosophila's genome, which comprises of genes with a purpose and lacks pseudogenes.

Analysis, Drosophila, Pseudogenes

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