title: The basic concept of the read-write genome: Mini-review on cell-mediated DNA modification.
abstract: The RW genome is a cell-modifiable DNA database encoding RNA and protein sequences. The data files are formatted by repetitive motifs for controlled replication, transmission, expression and repair. Cells have the biochemical natural genetic engineering (NGE) tools needed to make all types of changes to genome DNA. Mobile DNA elements serve as plug-in cassettes that can modify or reformat coding data. Cells regulate and target NGE activities by several well-documented molecular mechanisms. Sequence databases show NGE has operated repeatedly in evolutionary history (e.g., domain swapping in proteins, network rewiring), while experimental studies and cancer cells provide real time examples of NGE action. Experimental tests are feasible to determine whether NGE activities operate in a demonstrably adaptive manner.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States. Electronic address: jsha@uchicago.edu.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena / Q000235:genetics*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics; D016678:Genome / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA
keywords: Evolution; Genome change; Mobile DNA; Natural genetic engineering