title: The evolutionary value of recombination is constrained by genome modularity.
abstract: Genetic recombination is a fundamental evolutionary mechanism promoting biological adaptation. Using engineered recombinants of the small single-stranded DNA plant virus, Maize streak virus (MSV), we experimentally demonstrate that fragments of genetic material only function optimally if they reside within genomes similar to those in which they evolved. The degree of similarity necessary for optimal functionality is correlated with the complexity of intragenomic interaction networks within which genome fragments must function. There is a striking correlation between our experimental results and the types of MSV recombinants that are detectable in nature, indicating that obligatory maintenance of intragenome interaction networks strongly constrains the evolutionary value of recombination for this virus and probably for genomes in general.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. darren@science.uct.ac.za
authors.forename: Darren P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van der Walt
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Posada
authors.forename: Edward P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Rybicki
mesh_terms: D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D016678:Genome; D016679:Genome, Viral; D026762:Maize streak virus / Q000235:genetics; D008954:Models, Biological; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology*