A molecular clock based on the expansion of gene families.
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.
Trusov
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Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Academy of Sciences, Russia.
Dear
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D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D016678:Genome; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D008322:Mammals; D008957:Models, Genetic; D005810:Multigene Family; D013997:Time Factors
D005914:Globins