Rapid Increase in frequency of gene copy-number variants during experimental evolution in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gene copy-number variation (CNVs), which provides the raw material for the evolution of novel genes, is widespread in natural populations. We investigated whether CNVs constitute a common mechanism of genetic change during adaptation in experimental Caenorhabditis elegans populations. Outcrossing C. elegans populations with low fitness were evolved for >200 generations. The frequencies of CNVs in these populations were analyzed by oligonucleotide array comparative genome hybridization, quantitative PCR, PCR, DNA sequencing across breakpoints, and single-worm PCR.

Results

Multiple duplications and deletions rose to intermediate or high frequencies in independent populations. Several lines of evidence suggest that these changes were adaptive: (i) copy-number changes

SUBMITTER: Farslow JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4673709 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature