Molecular Evolution Activities
 

This is a comprehensive bibliography (under construction) of primary and secondary sources on the neutral theory of molecular evolution. It currently covers the period 1973-2001.

Author :

Trusov, Y. A.;Dear, P. H.

Year :

1996

Title :

A molecular clock based on the expansion of gene families

Journal :

Nucleic Acids Research

Volume :

24

Issue :

6

Pages :

995-9

Short Title :

A molecular clock based on the expansion of gene families

Custom 3 :

96184844

Abstract :

There is evidence to suggest that eukaryotic genomes are subject to frequent insertions and deletions of non-coding DNA. This may lead to a gradual increase or decrease in genome size, or to a dynamic equilibrium in which the overall size remains constant. We argue, however, that there is a bias favouring an accumulation of non-coding DNA in the proximity of genes. Such bias causes a progressive change in genome structure regardless of whether the overall genome size increases, decreases or remains constant. We show that this change may serve as a 'molecular clock', supplementing that provided by nucleotide substitution rates.
 -- contributed by John Beatty, March 29, 2002