Purifying selection shapes the dynamics of P-element invasion in Drosophila simulans populations.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences that can move within a host genome. Many new TE insertions have deleterious effects on their host and are therefore removed by purifying selection. The genomic distribution of TEs thus reflects a balance between new insertions and purifying selection. However, the inference of purifying selection against deleterious TE insertions from the patterns observed in natural populations is challenged by the confounding effects of demographic events, such as population bottlenecks and migration.

Results

We use experimental evolution to study the role of purifying selection during the invasion of the P-element, a highly invasive TE, in replicated Drosophila simulans populations under controlled laboratory conditions. Because the

SUBMITTER: Langmuller AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12291496 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature