Selfish genes move sideways
Article Abstract:
Research on the evolutionary biology of the mariner transposable element indicates that ultra-selfish genes are capable of affecting new lineages rather than being set by phylogeny. S.L. O'Neill and colleagues demonstrated the selfish nature of cytoplasmic genes by selectively amplifying, cloning and sequencing the 16S ribosomal RNA genes, whereas K. Maruyama and D.J. Hartl found that horizontal transmission causes some of the cytoplasmic element's distribution. Researchers must now determine whether horizontal transfer is frequent among ultra-selfish genes.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
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Genomic revolutionaries rise up
Article Abstract:
Selfish elements such as Segregation Distorter of Drosophila melanogaster manipulate the host's genetics and spread in population. The deleterious nature of these elements can cause extinction of species and conditions for invasion of modifying genes. Thus, selfish elements act as initiators of major transitions in evolution and advent of meiosis and multicellularity. The intracellular symbionts bring about parthenogenesis in wasps and feminization in crustaceans.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Dosage sensitivity and the evolution of gene families in yeast
Article Abstract:
Results point out that dominance of a trait is a by-product of interaction between physiology and metabolism in an organism such as yeast. This creates imbalance and harmful to the organism's evolution. Data indicate that large gene family members rarely participate in complex formation such as protein complex subunits.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2003
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