Sex enhances adaptation by unlinking beneficial from detrimental mutations in experimental yeast populations.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The maintenance of sexuality is a classic problem in evolutionary biology because it is a less efficient mode of reproduction compared with asexuality; however, many organisms are sexual. Theoretical work suggests sex facilitates natural selection, and experimental data support this. However, there are fewer experimental studies that have attempted to determine the mechanisms underlying the advantage of sex. Two main classes of hypotheses have been proposed to explain its advantage: detrimental mutation clearance and beneficial mutation accumulation. Here we attempt to experimentally differentiate between these two classes by evolving Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations that differ only in their ability to undergo sex, and also manipulate mutation rate. We cannot manipu

SUBMITTER: Gray JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3342131 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature