Hidden genetic variation in the germline genome of Tetrahymena thermophila.

ABSTRACT: Genome architecture varies greatly among eukaryotes. This diversity may profoundly affect the origin and maintenance of genetic variation within a population. Ciliates are microbial eukaryotes with unusual genome features, such as the separation of germline and somatic genomes within a single cell and amitotic division. These features have previously been proposed to increase the rate of molecular evolution in these species. Here, we assessed the fitness effects of genetic variation in the two genomes of natural isolates of the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. We find more extensive genetic variation in fitness in the transcriptionally silent germline genome than in the expressed somatic genome. Surprisingly, this variation is not primarily deleterious, but has both beneficial and deleteri

SUBMITTER: Dimond KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4899097 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature