Evolutionary changes in mutation rates and spectra and their influence on the adaptation of pathogens.
The evolutionary tuning of mutational processes may play a key role in prokaryotic evolution, particularly among pathogens. In this paper we review the evidence that genetic systems controlling the rate and spectrum of heritable mutations have evolved to optimize levels of adaptive variation and rates of genetic change.
Metzgar
D
D
Department of Biology, Mail Code 0116, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA. dmetzgar@biomail.ucsd.edu
Wills
C
C
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic