Transposable elements maintain genome-wide heterozygosity in inbred populations.

ABSTRACT: Elevated levels of inbreeding increase the risk of inbreeding depression and extinction, yet many inbred species are widespread, suggesting that inbreeding has little impact on evolutionary potential. Here, we explore the potential for transposable elements (TEs) to maintain genetic variation in functional genomic regions under extreme inbreeding. Capitalizing on the mixed mating system of Arabidopsis lyrata, we assess genome-wide heterozygosity and signatures of selection at single nucleotide polymorphisms near transposable elements across an inbreeding gradient. Under intense inbreeding, we find systematically elevated heterozygosity downstream of several TE superfamilies, associated with signatures of balancing selection. In addition, we demonstrate increased heterozygosity in stress-re

SUBMITTER: De Kort H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9672359 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature