Nature 371, 215 - 220 (15 September 2002); doi:10.1038/371215a0

The evolutionary dynamics of repetitive DNA in eukaryotes

Brian Charlesworth, Paul Sniegowski & Wolfgang Stephan

Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, 1101 E.57th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
Center for Microbial Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
Department of Zoology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.

Repetitive DNA sequences form a large portion of the genomes of eukaryotes. The 'selfish DNA' hypothesis proposes that they are maintained by their ability to replicate within the genome. The behaviour of repetitive sequences can result in mutations that cause genetic diseases, and confer significant fitness losses on the organism. Features of the organization of repetitive sequences in eukaryotic genomes, and their distribution in natural populations, reflect the evolutionary forces acting on selfish DNA.

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