Transposons work without Darwin in plants


Here is a summary of the article "Epigenetic control of transposons during plant reproduction: From meiosis to hybrid seeds":

  • Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that can insert themselves into the genomes of other organisms. In plants, TEs are often silenced by epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modification.

  • During plant reproduction, there are transient windows of opportunity for TE activation, as the epigenome is reprogrammed. This can lead to TE proliferation and epigenetic novelty.

  • TE activation during plant reproduction can have a number of implications, including effects on fertility, early seed development, and epigenetic inheritance.

  • For example, TE activation during meiosis can lead to the production of aneuploid gametes, which can reduce fertility. TE activation during seed development can lead to the production of hybrid seeds with altered phenotypes.

  • The article discusses recent findings and current understanding of TE regulation during sexual plant reproduction. It also discusses the implications of TE activation for plant breeding and crop improvement.

Here are some additional points from the article:

  • TEs are a major source of genetic diversity in plants.

  • TE activation can be triggered by a number of factors, including stress, environmental changes, and hybridization.

  • TEs can have both positive and negative effects on plant fitness.

  • The study of TE regulation in plants is a rapidly developing field, with important implications for plant breeding and crop improvement.

Transposable elements (TEs) that are moved by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) acts without neo-Darwinism. Neo-Darwinism is a theory of evolution that states that evolution is driven by natural selection acting on genetic variation. However, TEs can move between organisms without being affected by natural selection. This is because TEs are not genes, and they do not code for proteins. Instead, TEs are pieces of DNA that can move around in the genome. They can be inserted into new locations, or they can be deleted.

When TEs are moved by HGT, they can introduce new genetic variation into a population. However, TEs can also move into a population without being subject to natural selection. This is because TEs can move into a population even if they are not beneficial or harmful to the organism.

The movement of TEs by HGT can therefore contribute to evolution, even without neo-Darwinism. This is because TEs can introduce new genetic variation into a population, not subject to natural selection.

Here are some examples of how TEs can move by HGT:

  • Viruses can carry TEs into a new host.

  • Bacteria can transfer TEs to each other through conjugation.

  • TEs can be transferred between plants through pollen or seeds.

The movement of TEs by HGT is an important process in evolution. It can help to create new genetic variation in populations. This can lead to the evolution of new traits and adaptations without neo-Darwinism.


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