Genome Streamlining: Effect of Mutation Rate and Population Size on Genome Size Reduction.

ABSTRACT: Genome streamlining, i.e. genome size reduction, is observed in bacteria with very different life traits, including endosymbiotic bacteria and several marine bacteria, raising the question of its evolutionary origin. None of the hypotheses proposed in the literature is firmly established, mainly due to the many confounding factors related to the diverse habitats of species with streamlined genomes. Computational models may help overcome these difficulties and rigorously test hypotheses. In this work, we used Aevol, a platform designed to study the evolution of genome architecture, to test 2 main hypotheses: that an increase in population size (N) or mutation rate (μ) could cause genome reduction. In our experiments, both conditions lead to streamlining but have very different resulting gen

SUBMITTER: Luiselli J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11666309 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature