title: A molecular clock based on the expansion of gene families.
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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Academy of Sciences, Russia.
authors.forename: Y A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Trusov
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Dear
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D005914:Globins