Mutational robustness and the role of buffer genes in evolvability.
EMBO J
; 43(12): 2294-2307, 2024 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38719995
ABSTRACT
Organisms rely on mutations to fuel adaptive evolution. However, many mutations impose a negative effect on fitness. Cells may have therefore evolved mechanisms that affect the phenotypic effects of mutations, thus conferring mutational robustness. Specifically, so-called buffer genes are hypothesized to interact directly or indirectly with genetic variation and reduce its effect on fitness. Environmental or genetic perturbations can change the interaction between buffer genes and genetic variation, thereby unmasking the genetic variation's phenotypic effects and thus providing a source of variation for natural selection to act on. This review provides an overview of our understanding of mutational robustness and buffer genes, with the chaperone gene HSP90 as a key example. It discusses whether buffer genes merely affect standing variation or also interact with de novo mutations, how mutational robustness could influence evolution, and whether mutational robustness might be an evolved trait or rather a mere side-effect of complex genetic interactions.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Proteínas HSP90 de Choque Térmico
/
Evolución Molecular
/
Mutación
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
EMBO J
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Bélgica